Revival of 13 Lake Victoria ports boost for regional trade, livelihoods

ngoing expansion works at the Kisumu Port. The expansion comes amid increased cargo volumes in recent years. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

For years, communities living around Lake Victoria have watched the vast body of water remain an untapped economic opportunity despite its potential to connect counties, create jobs, and open markets across East Africa.

Fishermen have struggled with limited access to modern landing facilities, farmers have faced expensive transport costs, while traders have relied heavily on road networks to move goods across the region.

However, a new wave of investment by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to revive 13 ports around Lake Victoria is expected to change this reality by creating a modern lake transport network that will boost trade, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, and regional connectivity.

The ambitious programme, which includes the development and upgrading of ports across the Lake Region, aims to restore the lake's historical role as a major economic corridor while providing communities with better access to markets and business opportunities.

Speaking during the Kisumu ASK National Show in Kisumu County, KPA officials said the revival of the ports is part of efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture and support sustainable economic growth in the region.

According to KPA Kisumu Regional Manager Elijah Chirchir, cargo throughput at Kisumu Port increased from 4,300 metric tonnes in 2017 to 459,000 metric tonnes in 2025, demonstrating the growing confidence in lake transport.

"That shows the tremendous growth we have achieved in terms of business performance. Kisumu Port has undergone a lot of transformation, and we continue investing in infrastructure to increase our capacity," said Chirchir.

He explained that KPA has undertaken major infrastructure improvements, including increasing the quay length from 292 metres to 392 metres, expanding yard space and carrying out dredging works to allow larger vessels to access the port.

The improvements have positioned Kisumu Port to handle increased cargo volumes, including fuel transported to Port Bell in Uganda, ceramic materials and steel billets, which form part of the key exports moving through the port.

Chirchir said the growth of the port has reduced pressure on roads by encouraging the movement of goods through water transport, which is cheaper and more efficient.

"The use of vessels helps reduce congestion on roads because some cargo that would have been transported by trucks is now moved through the lake. This lowers transport costs and gives traders economies of scale," he said.

With continued investment and growing demand, KPA expects Kisumu Port to handle more than 500,000 metric tonnes of cargo by the end of this year.

However, the authority says the revival of Kisumu Port is only one part of a bigger plan to transform the entire Lake Victoria transport system.

Principal Engineer Stanley Bett said KPA is implementing the development of 13 ports around Lake Victoria in phases to improve connectivity and open up economic opportunities for communities around the lake.

"We have around 13 ports within the region, and we are developing them in phases so that we can achieve connectivity across Lake Victoria," said Bett.

Among the key projects underway are Muhuru Bay Port and Sio Port, which are currently at 54 per cent completion and are expected to be commissioned by the end of next month.

KPA has also completed Phase One of Homa Bay Port and is currently undertaking Phase Two, which involves additional infrastructure development to improve port operations.

Bett added that construction of Usenge Port is expected to begin immediately after July as part of efforts to expand the network of operational ports around the lake.

The revival of the ports is expected to have a direct impact on fishing communities, who have for years faced challenges accessing proper facilities for handling and preserving their catch.

Through the upgraded ports, KPA plans to establish value addition facilities, including cold storage facilities and improved handling equipment, to reduce losses and increase income for fishermen.

The projects are also expected to benefit farmers by providing an alternative transport route for agricultural produce to markets within Kenya and neighbouring countries.

Chirchir said farmers involved in agriculture and aquaculture should position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities created by the expanding lake transport system.

"We need to encourage farmers and those in aquaculture to consider using Kisumu Port because it will provide opportunities to access wider markets while reducing transport costs," he said.

Beyond trade and agriculture, the port developments are also expected to boost tourism through improved movement of people across counties bordering Lake Victoria.

KPA is constructing a passenger ferry that will operate across the region once the required landing facilities are completed.

According to Chirchir, the ferry service will provide a cheaper transport alternative while opening new opportunities for local tourism.

"We are going to introduce passenger ferry services that will operate within the regional counties. This will reduce transport costs and promote tourism because people will be able to move more easily across the lake," he said.

Bett stressed that once Muhuru Bay Port, Sio Port, and Homa Bay Phase Two are completed, ferry operations will begin using the completed facilities before expanding to other areas.

"By September, we should be able to commission Muhuru Bay and Sio Port. Once the ferry is completed, we will start operations around those completed ports as we continue developing the remaining facilities," he added.

The growing activities at Kisumu Port have already started improving KPA's financial performance, with Chirchir revealing that the authority recorded more than Sh37 million in revenue during the last financial year.

He expects the revenue to continue increasing as more infrastructure projects are completed and more traders utilise the lake transport system.

KPA is now calling on local investors, manufacturers and traders to take advantage of the available opportunities by using Kisumu Port to import raw materials and export finished products to markets such as Uganda and Tanzania.

"There are many opportunities in trade, tourism, fisheries and manufacturing. Investors should take advantage of Kisumu Port because it can serve as a gateway to regional markets," said Chirchir.