The Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) has reported a strong performance in 2025, posting gains in revenue, agriculture and institutional capacity as it positions itself as a key engine of economic growth in western Kenya.
LBDA Managing Director (MD) Wycliffe Ochiaga said the authority’s improved outlook was anchored on aligning its programmes to the national Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, a move that has boosted farmer incomes, strengthened food security and reduced reliance on the Exchequer.
Speaking during the end-year review meeting in Kisumu over the weekend, Ochiaga said the year marked a turning point for the authority as it shifted focus to commercially viable projects while deepening sustainability and governance reforms.
“We have deliberately invested in value chains that generate income, support farmers and build long-term resilience. The results we are seeing in revenue growth and productivity affirm that direction,” he said.
LBDA’s commercial ventures, he said, recorded notable improvements, particularly in real estate, aquaculture and livestock. Occupancy level at the LBDA mall managed by the Authority, he said, increased to 45 per cent from 30 per cent following the operationalisation of a dedicated real estate unit.
In aquaculture, the Kibos Centre produced more than 15 million fish fingerlings during the year and trained over 600 farmers, supporting local food systems while opening up new revenue streams for the Authority.
Agriculture, he said, remained a key pillar of growth, adding that through a mopping-up programme, LBDA procured about 5,000 tonnes of rice from farmers at Sh60 per kilogram, injecting liquidity into rural economies and helping stabilise incomes.
Rehabilitation works at the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme, he said, also progressed, with 8,000 acres earmarked for production once completed.
Beyond commercial activity, Ochiaga said the Authority invested heavily in institutional strengthening. He said a total of 29 staff underwent local training, two officers received international exposure, and 182 students were accommodated on industrial attachment programmes.
Staff welfare, mental health and compliance, he observed, were prioritised as part of governance reforms.
The MD said environmental sustainability and climate resilience featured prominently, with the propagation of more than 380,000 seedlings, flood mitigation works in the Nyando basin, and the drilling and equipping of 14 boreholes to improve access to clean water.
Looking ahead, Ochiaga said LBDA plans to complete the Kimira-Oluch project, roll out the South West Kano irrigation scheme in Kisumu County, and scale up poultry and horticulture value chains to create jobs for farmers and youth.
He acknowledged challenges, including climate variability and ageing infrastructure but said lessons from 2025 would guide stronger execution in the coming year.
“With disciplined implementation and partnerships, we are confident of delivering greater impact for communities in the lake region while moving steadily towards financial self-reliance,” he said.
By Chris Mahandara
