[PHOTOS] New ferry to link Islands and counties on Lake Victoria

Kenyan distance stars rule road races across continents Athletics

Pamzo dedicates coach of the month honour to late wife as APS revival gathers pace Football

Kenya Shipyards Limited has begun construction of a 29-metre shallow-draft ferry at its Kisumu Shipyard, a project aimed at boosting the country’s Blue Economy, Interior PS Raymond Omollo has confirmed.

The vessel will become the first public ferry operated by the Kenya Ports Authority on Lake Victoria.

“The ferry will bridge a critical gap in public maritime transport,” Omollo said, emphasising its role in improving connectivity to island-rich areas such as Homa Bay County and Mfangano Island.

It will also link riparian counties including Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, and Migori.

According to Omollo, the project is now at 50 per cent completion. Most welding works are complete, structural joining and fitting have been finalised, and the passenger area is ready.

Ongoing work focuses on electrical piping and painting of sub-structural components.

The new ferry is expected to enhance public transport efficiency and provide safer and more reliable access for residents and tourists navigating the lake’s islands.

It also signals Kenya’s broader commitment to harnessing the Blue Economy for social and economic development.

In addition to large vessels, Kenya Shipyards Limited continues to manufacture smaller fibre-reinforced plastic boats. These FRP vessels are commonly used for fishing, patrol, and transport operations across Lake Victoria.

“The shipyard is playing a vital role in both large-scale and small-scale maritime solutions,” Omollo noted, highlighting the government’s strategy to expand inland water transport infrastructure.

The Kisumu-based project reflects a growing focus on maritime investment in the region, aimed at reducing reliance on road transport and enhancing economic opportunities along the lakeshore. Once operational, the ferry is expected to provide a modern, reliable, and safe transport option for communities that have long depended on smaller, often overcrowded vessels.

The government hopes that such initiatives will stimulate local trade, tourism, and employment, strengthening the role of Lake Victoria as a key transport and economic corridor in Kenya.