Exclusive View of Ksh3B Refurbished Kisumu Port [PHOTOS]

A photo of Ksh 3 billion Kisumu Port in Kisumu County
A photo of Ksh 3 billion Kisumu Port in Kisumu County
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The government is keen on restoring the once vibrant East Africa hub of Kisumu. Kisumu Port was targetted for refurbishment, with the government spending Ksh 3 billion to upgrade the port.

ODM leader Raila Odinga has constantly pushed the government to revamp the port since the handshake. President Uhuru Kenyatta, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and Odinga have toured the port several times to inspect its construction. 

The refurbishment was completed in early 2020, however, the opening date has never been settled on as the government works on the finishing touches. 

On Friday, October 2, Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o confirmed that the port is almost ready to open and shared more details on how it will serve the region, Kenya and East Africa.

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A photo of Ksh 3 billion Kisumu Port in Kisumu County
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The main vessel at the port is MV Uhuru which has already transported more than one million tons of oil to Port Bell through Lake Victoria in a pilot project. 

The Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), and the National Youth Service (NYS) will facilitate maritime transport at the port alongside tourism activities. 

"We are going back to full maritime transport in the Lake both for commercial goods and passengers. We are also building the 26 km promenade where foreign and local tourists could take leisure walks or ride along the lake.

"Watersports such as boat racing, swimming and fishing will be attracting more visitors to the lake. We are also putting up other facilities including a landing base for people to have leisurely boating and tourism in the Western Kenya circuit," Nyong'o stated on Friday, October 2. 

Inside the port, the NYS is also rehabilitating a section of the  217-kilometre Nakuru-Kisumu railway track at a cost of Ksh3.8 billion.

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A photo of Ksh 3 billion Kisumu Port in Kisumu County
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The port is also linked to the Kenya Pipeline's 45 million litre-capacity Kisumu depot, to facilitate fuel transportation. The port will reduce congestion on roads where trucks are used to ferry fuel into Uganda.  

It is also linked to the National Cereals and Produce Board depot for the evacuation and depositing of grains. 

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MV Uhuru docked at Kisumu Port, Kisumu County
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Workers revamp a railway line at the Ksh 3 billion Kisumu Port in Kisumu County
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A photo of Ksh 3 billion Kisumu Port in Kisumu County
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A photo of Ksh 3 billion Kisumu Port in Kisumu County
File