The County Government of Kisumu has contracted Kenya Shipyard Limited to fabricate and supply six modern fiberglass boats for use in various landing beaches across the area.
Making the announcement, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said each of the modern boats is fitted with 25 to 40 horsepower engines and is fully equipped with cooler boxes for the storage of fish (up to 500 kg), flares, life jackets, and safety gear for security on the lake.
The goal is to phase out wooden boats, whose risks have led to numerous tragedies on the lake.
Nyong’o said during the commissioning of the construction of the boats that the launch of the first phase of this transformative initiative was under the Lake Victoria Economic Revitalization Project.
“In addition to the boats, my government is also moving forward with the construction of five landing sites strategically located at the following beaches: Kichinjio Beach in Kisumu Central Sub-County, Nango Beach in Seme Sub-County, Rota Beach in Kisumu West, Koguta Beach in Nyakach, and Nyamware Beach in Kadibo Sub-County,” he said.
He added that the landing sites are designed to provide enhanced accessibility, improve safety, and facilitate the efficient transportation of fish, all of which will contribute to sustainable economic development.
The governor further said that with the launch of these two critical projects, his next focus will be the establishment of a fish processing plant, which will be pivotal in elevating the local fisheries sector by providing cold storage, value-added processing, logistical support, waste management, and environmental conservation efforts.
“Another cornerstone of this development will be the construction of a 46-kilometer long promenade along the shoreline. The ‘umbilical project’ will set the stage as the backbone of the Lake Front, stimulating further investments and connecting all Lake Front developments. This will enhance tourism, trade, and regional collaborations,” he further stated.
Nyong’o also said that all the projects are the result of the Kisumu Lake Front Development Corporation (KLDC), a special purpose vehicle established to manage and foster economic and social activities at the Lake Front. He emphasized that Lake Victoria is one of the most valuable natural resources, offering boundless opportunities for growth, sustainability, and regional cooperation.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
Ministry of Lands raises alarm over forged title deeds at Kisumu land office
“Through this special purpose vehicle, we aim to attract investment to Kisumu and Kenya, promote tourism, and boost export trade,” he said.
The governor mentioned that the use of fiberglass was the way to go, as securing hardwood was becoming increasingly expensive.
The governor’s advisor on blue economy issues, Dr. Matano, observed that the initiative is timely, as it will reduce the number of lives lost in Lake Victoria. Matano stated that about 5,000 lives are lost every year in the lake due to poorly constructed boats.
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
