Jalang’o pledges Ksh1k reward for proof of any functional streetlight between Uthiru and Westlands

Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwour, popularly known as Jalang’o, has issued a striking public challenge: anyone who can show him a functional streetlight along the road stretch between Uthiru and the Nairobi Expressway entry point in Westlands will receive Ksh1,000 in reward.

The offer, which the MP made during a live panel discussion on Thursday, April 17, 2025, reflects growing frustration with the state of urban infrastructure in the capital city.

Jalang’o was joined on the panel by other Nairobi legislators, including Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, during which he criticised Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for what he described as a lack of visible improvement in public lighting.

He painted a grim picture of the city’s western entry point, noting that travellers arriving from western Kenya are welcomed not by the glow of a modern capital but by pitch darkness.

“Entry ya Nairobi ya kwanza kwa watu ambao wanatoka Western ni Uhuru Highway. Hakuna street light kutoka Uthiru mbaka Westlands kwa Expressway. Na huyu ni mtu anaingia Nairobi kwa siku ya kwanza kama sisi watu wa kuja, si utashangaa sasa huku nimeingia wapi, nimeingia giza gani hii?” Jalang’o lamented.

Jalang’o went further, offering Ksh1,000 for every working streetlight that could be identified between Uthiru and the Westlands Expressway entry/exit point.

However, the MP exuded confidence that he would retain his cash reward since, according to him, there is no functional streetlight in the aforementioned stretch.

“Mimi nasema kama entry ya Nairobi ni kutoka Uthiru mbaka hapa Expressway Westlands. Ukipata taa streetlight, kwa kila streetlight utapata kabla hujaingia Expressway nakupa shilingi elfu moja – kwa kila streetlight. Najua hautapata chochote kumaanisha hio pesa ntabaki nayo hapa,” Jalang’o said.

The Lang’ata MP insisted the challenge was not just a stunt, but a reflection of a broader problem with urban management in Nairobi.

He argued that many of the city’s estates face similar neglect, with the exception of areas like Thika Road and Mombasa Road, which he said benefited from lighting installations by the national government.

“Afadhali Mombasa Road entry inakaa mzuri, Thika Road kulitengenezwa na serikali. Saa hii tunapozungumza estates ndani ni magiza tu iko,” Jalang’o said.

The comments from Jalang’o added to a rising chorus of criticism over service delivery and urban safety in Nairobi.

Poor lighting has long been linked to increased insecurity and reduced mobility during nighttime hours, particularly in residential neighbourhoods and key transit routes.

“Saa hizi hapa town, town inafungwa. Unajua Nairobi town hufungwa saa mbili usiku na vijana wanaanza kushikwa saa mbili usiku,” Jalang’o said.

Adding that; “Nairobi is the only city in this world that is closed at 8 pm – there is no nightlife, there is nothing happening. The economy of Nairobi dies.”

The Nairobi City County government has not yet issued a formal response to Jalang’o’s remarks.