Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL) has marked its fifth anniversary with a pledge to cement the country’s position as East Africa’s shipbuilding hub, citing growth in capacity, jobs and partnerships since its formation in 2020.
Managing Director Major Gen. Said Mohammed Farah said the State Corporation, created under the Ministry of Defence, had exceeded expectations in delivering vessels for both national security and commercial use.
Since its inception, Kenya Shipyards Limited has delivered landmark projects, chief among them construction of the Sh2.4 billion MV Uhuru II at its Kisumu facility. It is the first ship built and launched in Kenya in more than 60 years.
The 1,800-tonne oil tanker now ferries fuel across Lake Victoria, revitalising regional trade and cementing Kisumu’s role as a maritime hub.
Beyond large vessels, KSL has also partnered with county governments to build lightweight fibre-reinforced boats for riparian counties, enhancing transport and fisheries along inland waters.
The company also services naval and security vessels for the Kenya Defence Forces and other agencies, ensuring national maritime security while supporting the growth of a local blue economy.
“In five years, we have built more than ships, we have built capacity, confidence and a foundation for a legacy that will live beyond us,” Maj Gen Farah said at the celebrations held at the Kisumu Shipyard and mirrored in Mombasa.
The parastatal, with yards in Mombasa, Kisumu and at the Kenya Railways facility in Nairobi has invested heavily in modern infrastructure and training, which Maj Gen Farah said now match global standards.
He added that KSL had created jobs for welders, engineers, project managers and naval architects, while contributing to regional integration and the blue economy.
“Our greatest achievement is not found in steel or statistics, but in the spirit of our people,” he said. “We have inspired a new generation to dream in blue, the colour of oceans, opportunity and optimism.
“Maj Gen Farah urged staff and partners to adopt new technology and innovation to keep pace with modern demands, saying the journey of transformation had only begun.
“The voyage has just begun. Let us continue to build not just vessels, but a future where Kenya’s maritime and defence industries are synonymous with global leadership,” he said.
Speaking during the same occasion, Siaya County Committee Member for Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock and Blue Economy K’Okoth Sylvestre said the county has partnered with KSL to build patrol boats and surveillance vessels for Lake Victoria.
“If counties were to procure any work requiring expertise and quality, Kenya Shipyards should be the contractor,” said K’Okoth, who represented Governor James Orengo.
He added that riparian and coastal counties looked forward to further cooperation in vessel construction and shoreline protection.
By Chris Mahandara
