Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Soipan Tuya has presided over the keel-laying ceremony for a new 29-metre ferry at the Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL) facility in Kisumu, marking a major milestone in Kenya’s bid to establish itself as a regional shipbuilding hub.
The ferry, which will be operated by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), is expected to significantly enhance water transport across Lake Victoria, especially for the island-rich Homa Bay County.
Tuya, who was accompanied by Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director William Ruto and Kenya Shipyards Managing Director Major General Said Mohammed Farah said once complete, the vessel will ease movement of people and goods, boosting regional trade and integration.
“The ferry will be more than a means of transport. It will be a symbol of Kenya’s commitment to industrial growth, regional connectivity, and maritime excellence,” said Tuya.
The CS underscored the economic and strategic value of the vessel, noting that the project aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), aimed at opening new value chains and creating jobs.
Tuya described the keel-laying exercise as a foundation for a thriving shipbuilding industry in Kenya, adding that the project would enhance self-reliance and accelerate industrial take-off.
“This ferry is a direct response to the challenge of underdeveloped maritime infrastructure on Lake Victoria. It is a strategic investment in mobility, commerce, and regional integration,” she said.
The CS lauded the Kenya Shipyards Limited for its growing shipbuilding portfolio, citing projects delivered in partnership with agencies such as Kenya Railways Corporation, Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Wildlife Service, and several county governments.
Tuya noted that KSL had delivered multiple vessels and marine infrastructure since its inception in 2020, including the Sh. 2.4 billion MV Uhuru II, which is operated by Kenya Railways, ferrying various goods to Uganda and Tanzania through Lake Victoria.
The Defence Ministry, she added, remains a key enabler of transformative infrastructure projects, with KSL serving as a model for collaboration between defence capability and civilian industry.
She called upon all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector players, academia, and development partners, to support the growth of the maritime sector.
“To the communities of Lake Victoria, I say this ferry is yours to connect, empower, and carry your aspirations across the great expanse of progress,” she said.
On his part, Joho said the vessel was set to revolutionize transport on Lake Victoria, getting off the road hundreds of tracks.
“The potential of this lake is enormous, with one vessel capable of ferrying goods that would otherwise require 140 trucks to carry. This is going to curb our carbon emissions by a big margin,” he said.
The KPA Managing Director said the state corporation was investing heavily in infrastructure to open up transport in Lake Victoria to enhance trade with the neighbouring East Africa Community (EAC) partner states.
Ruto said so far KPA was building modern landing sites at strategic points on the lake which will serve as cargo hubs.
“Homa Bay County for example, has so many islands with no public transport. As KPA, we felt that building this ferry was critical to address this gap,” he said.
The investments have already started paying off, with the inland port of Kisumu registering increased trade volumes.
On her part, Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga lauded the initiative, saying it was set to become a lifeline for thousands of the lakeside county’s residents who are locked out of public lake transport.
“Since independence, Homa Bay County, which is endowed with many islands, has not had any public means of transport on the lake. Most of our people have been on their own with the private players in the sector, sometimes unable to offer the service,” she said.
The governor pointed out that Mfangano Island, with a population of over 40,000 people, has no public ferry to transport goods and people.
Speaking during the same occasion, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili urged the KPA to consider building another ferry to serve Kisumu and connect it to the other counties sharing the lake.
By Chris Mahandara and Ogada Kennedy
