The Kenya Ports Authority has announced plans to set up a modern passenger terminal at the port of Kisumu to revive transport through Lake Victoria.

Through partnership with Trademark Africa, KPA technical team has completed designs for the project which is expected to inject new life in the revamped Kisumu Port.

KPA General Manager in charge of infrastructure development (GMID) Eng Mathew Amuti said the initiative dubbed Kisumu Port Resilient Infrastructure project targets to enhance connectivity in the East Africa region to spur trade and economic development.

Designed to optimize passenger flow, the terminal, he said, includes segregated areas for ferry passengers with substantial cargo, local travellers and international guests with a capacity of over 500 passengers at the jetty and 1, 000 at the ferry terminal per hour.

Travellers, he said, will have a range of facilities such as restaurants, forex bureaus and offices for taxi operators at the terminal premises.

In addition, a new warehouse with a control tower for communication gadgets across the lake will be set up at the Kisumu pier to facilitate the rollout of services.

He added that the terminal is linked to feeder ports of Muhuru Bay, Homa Bay, Sena, Mbita, Asembo, Luanda K’otieno, Usenge and Sio Port within the Kenyan waters which are also being developed in phases.

In an exclusive interview with KNA, Eng. Amuti said the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) will set up a rescue centre at the terminal to carry out bathymetric surveys.

International and local navigation channels, he added, have been mapped with additional navigation aids already identified.

KPA, he said, has partnered with the county government and relevant national government agencies to sensitise and mark areas for fishing to avoid installation of nets and fish cages in vessels’ routes.

Early warning system, he added, has been developed and is undergoing tests to issue alerts on manifestation of water hyacinth.

Eng. Amuti said once completed KPA will operate the terminal alongside other government agencies with the private sector bringing in cruise ships and vessels.

This, he said, will facilitate group tours for tourists and international travel in the East Africa Region taking a relatively short duration.

Before operations grounded at the port, there used to be seamless connectivity of rail and lake steamers.

Passengers would disembark at the Railway Station and walk down to catch a steamship to Asembo Bay, Kendu Bay and Homa Bay.

MV Uhuru I also used to transport fuel from Kenya to Uganda and Tanzania. A new vessel MV Uhuru II was recently launched by President DR. William Ruto to enhance the capacity to ferry petroleum products through the lake.

Eng. Amuti said the new development was expected to scale up activities at the Kisumu Port which has been dormant for decades.

The port, he added, has witnessed a remarkable growth since the year 2017 when KPA took over its operations from Kenya Railways with cargo handling scaled up to 127,000 tonnes in 2023 up from 3,000 tonnes in 2017.

By Chris Mahandara

The National Land Commission (NLC) has approved the land lease request by the County Government of Homabay for the development of the new Homabay County Headquarters.

This critical step paves the way for the construction of a modern and efficient facility that will serve the people of Homabay for the years to come.

The county has leased the land to the CPF Group which will develop the project through a financing model, the tenant purchase scheme that allows for flexible and long-term financial support.

This project has been made possible by the Homa Bay County Infrastructure Act that was passed at the County Assembly to provide a framework for partnerships with private and public entities to finance County priority infrastructure.

tenant purchase scheme for public infrastructure projects,” said CPF Group Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Hosea Kili.

“This achievement represents a significant landmark for us as a county, we are grateful to the National Land Commission for expediting this process. We are also proud to partner with CPF Group, which has demonstrated its confidence in our county’s financial standing.

The new headquarters will serve as a cornerstone for enhanced innovation, productivity, and service delivery for all residents of Homabay.” – H.E Gladys Wanga.

The construction of the Homabay County Headquarters is a significant step towards a brighter future for the county. This project will not only provide a modern and efficient workspace for county government officials, but it will also serve as a symbol of progress and development for the entire region.

Keep Reading at https://landcommission.go.ke/

Siaya county government has unveiled its County Integrated Development Program (CIDP) that will guide the implementation of development projects on time and within the budget in the next five years.

The Sh200 billion CIDP is largely focused on achieving industrialization by transforming the region’s economic structure of subsistence farming to agricultural led industrialization.

Besides mechanization of agriculture and improving extension services which are spelt out in the plan, the county government also has elaborate plans to encourage and attract youth in to the agricultural sector.

The county government will fund the five-year plan form equitable share of Sh44 billion, conditional allocation of Sh1.67 billion and own source revenue of Sh4.6 billion totaling to Sh50 billion, leaving a shortfall of Sh150 billion, which is expected to be sourced from investors, development partners and credit facilities.

Speaking during the unveiling of the mega plan at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Siaya governor James Orengo said the unveiling of the CIDP would encourage all stakeholders to have a conversation on the implementation of the development plan.

Treasury annually, the county would face a huge challenge in achieving its plans.

“We have to go out there and seek investors and when we are seeking investors, we have to create an enabling environment for the investors to consider our county as an investment destination. What we get from the government cannot make us access the resources we need to make a turnaround in Siaya.” Orengo said.

He disclosed that the county government is working round the clock to create the required enabling environment for investors, adding that his recent trips to Egypt and India would soon bear fruits for the people of Siaya.

“We do not have to depend on the national government. We can get the investors on our own and with my visit to Cairo and India, we have begun conversations that would be fruitful so long as we create the enabling environment for the investors,” Orengo stated.

He lauded the Council of Governors (CoG) for leading the conversation on allocation in the counties to push the government to honor the constitution by releasing more funds to support devolution.

The unveiling of CIDP was graced by the former United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi who challenged Siaya government to change the narrative about the county if they want to attract investors.

Dr. Kituyi stated that the maltreatment of the “Dominion farms” investor in the county creates a dented image and unless the county changes its narrative and assures investors of reforms and that they will be treated better, Siaya will struggle to attract investor.

Investors out there will definitely ask for recommendations from previous or existing investors before they invest their money. With investor like the Dominion Farms who exited the county acrimoniously it would be a struggle if Siaya does not change the narrative”– Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi

He also encouraged the county government to sensitize some of the locals in Siaya County to allow people from outside the region to do investment within their localities without frustrating and interfering with them.

“Investors do not have to come from outside Kenya, even individuals from other communities in Kenya can be investors, but instead of investing in Siaya town they would rather go to Bondo or Gem towns because the locals in Siaya town are not receptive. This is known fact which you (county government) must handle” Dr. Kituyi added.

The former UNCTAD secretary general asked the county government of Siaya to partner with neighboring counties like Busia, Kisumu, Homa bay and Migori counties to harness the potential of blue economy in Lake Victoria to achieve economic growth.

Dr. Kituyi said he county also has a huge potential in the Orange economy (arts and sports), which if explored and natured has the potential of creating employment opportunities and transforming the economy of the region.

The occasion was attended by host of other leaders including Siaya county assembly speaker George Okode and the host university vice chancellor Prof. Emily Akuno.

By Brian Ondeng