IN PICTURES: Ksh2.4B Ship Assembled in Kenya Takes Shape

Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
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KSL

Kenya is among an exclusive club of three African countries, behind South Africa and Egypt, with the capacity of assembling their own ships.

Photos seen by Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, February 16, showed that the new ship, MV Uhuru 2, which is under construction at a cost of Ksh2.4 billion, is 50 per cent complete.

The construction exercise is expected to be completed in April with the maiden voyage to Uganda (across Lake Victoria) expected to take place in August 2022.

In a statement, Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL), which is undertaking the project, noted that its engineers and staff work around the clock to ensure the project's delivery.

Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
KSL

The starboard side behind the fore was joined to the main body of MV Uhuru II Wagon Ferry on Saturday, February 12, marking completion of one of the major works.

According to KSL deputy Managing Director, Peter Muthungu, the new undertaking has saved the country Ksh1.3 billion as opposed to assembling it outside the country.

Once complete, the ship will join MV Uhuru 1 which was revived at a cost of Ksh50 million and has been operating on Lake Victoria.

“This will be a major milestone in our country when we launch MV Uhuru 2 in August. We have saved taxpayers a lot of money that would have been used in importation,” Muthungu stated.

MV Uhuru 2 has a capacity of 1,800 tonnes and its construction involves KSL in partnership with other agencies including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

KDF is also set to build ships for Uganda and Tanzania after the country received six orders from the East African Community (EAC).

“In Africa, there are only two countries that are known to build ships and that is South Africa and Egypt. Kenya is joining that league as of now and we must be very proud.

"This facility here in addition to constructing our own ship is also going to construct ships for the neighbouring countries and also repairing and rehabilitating their ships,” Govt Spokesperson, Col (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna, stated. 

KSL is one of the government corporations that were revived during the second term of President Kenyatta. The country currently has two yards based in Kisumu and Mombasa counties.

Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
KSL
Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
KSL
Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
KSL
Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Construction of MV Uhuru 2 at Kisumu Shipyard on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
KSL