China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) has secured a KSh1.2 billion contract to install 10,000 streetlights across 11 informal settlements in Nairobi, in a project expected to improve visibility and security along hundreds of kilometres of urban roads.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) awarded the 30-month contract, which covers approximately 408.44 kilometres of roads, according to procurement disclosures and tender documents.
The works will involve constructing, installing, testing and commissioning a complete street lighting system, including lighting poles, electrical cables, control systems and related infrastructure.
Mukuru will receive the largest allocation, with 1,800 streetlights planned along 70 kilometres of roads. Githurai follows with 1,450 lights covering 57.48 kilometres.
Other areas earmarked for the project are Dandora, Kangemi, Kawangware, Dagoretti, Kibera, Korogocho and Ngomongo, Mathare, Zimmerman in Roysambu, and Kasarani.
The contractor will install 259 double-arm LED streetlights mounted on 10-metre poles and 20 single-arm lights on eight-metre poles. The project also includes substations, distribution boxes and power cables.
According to the procurement documents, construction is scheduled to take 18 months, followed by a 12-month defects notification period. The contract's overall duration is therefore 30 months, rather than the entire period being dedicated to construction.
CRBC will also have to coordinate with Kenya Power to facilitate electricity connections and ensure the installed infrastructure is operational.
For residents and businesses in the targeted neighbourhoods, the project could improve visibility for pedestrians, motorists and public transport users after dark. Better lighting may also support evening trading and movement, although the actual benefits will depend on reliable power connections, maintenance and the prevention of vandalism.
The award adds to CRBC's growing portfolio of Kenyan infrastructure contracts. The Chinese company has been involved in major projects including the Standard Gauge Railway and Nairobi Expressway.
More recently, KURA awarded the firm a separate KSh3.22 billion contract to upgrade approximately seven kilometres of Old Mombasa Road, linking the Nairobi Inland Container Depot to Syokimau.
The latest award also comes amid continued debate over the participation of foreign contractors in publicly funded infrastructure projects. Local construction firms have previously raised concerns about competition from Chinese companies, particularly their access to financing and capacity to execute large contracts.
KURA's broader strategic plan for 2023–2027 includes expanding street lighting along urban roads in coordination with county governments. However, the authority has acknowledged overlapping responsibilities with counties over the management of roads and associated infrastructure, including streetlights.
The success of the KSh1.2 billion programme will ultimately depend not only on completing installations but also on ensuring the lights remain functional after commissioning.
