Kenya Shipyards revives Homa Bay Pier as Lake Victoria’s trade gateway

BELINDA OSORO -PCO

Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL) has rehabilitated the Homa Bay Pier as a gateway to restore Lake Victoria’s lost maritime glory, setting the stage for a revival of regional trade and integration.

“The rehabilitation of Homa Bay Pier is restoring Lake Victoria as an economic highway. We are creating infrastructure that supports trade, tourism, fisheries and regional integration while strengthening Kenya’s position within the Blue Economy,” says Lt. Col. Brian Omito, General Manager for Civil and Modular Maritime Works at KSL.

His words underscore the significance of a project that is transforming a neglected waterfront into a modern transport hub aligned with Kenya’s development agenda and the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

For decades, Lt. Col. Omito said, the pier stood as a silent reminder of unrealised promise; once a bustling gateway linking communities and trade routes across East Africa’s largest freshwater lake, it had fallen into disrepair.

“Its weakened docking structures could no longer safely receive vessels, while invasive water hyacinth and hippo grass reclaimed the shoreline.”

“Traders and fishermen, despite Homa Bay County contributing the largest share of Kenya’s fish production from Lake Victoria, were forced to rely on congested road transport, raising costs and eroding competitiveness,” he said.

Lt. Col. Brian Omito noted that the government’s renewed focus on the Blue Economy has now placed Homa Bay Pier at the centre of a broader national vision to modernise maritime infrastructure.

The redevelopment, he said, implemented by KSL on behalf of the Kenya Ports Authority, is not just about rebuilding a pier but about reclaiming Lake Victoria’s role as a sustainable transport corridor.

He said that Phase I of the project has already been completed, delivering a modern pier built with marine-grade steel, reinforced concrete piles and heavy-duty rubber fenders.

“Landscaping and storm-water infrastructure have been installed, creating a safer, more durable docking facility capable of supporting ferries, water buses and artisanal fishing vessels.

The new infrastructure is designed to withstand the demanding conditions of inland waterways, ensuring communities can rely on it for decades,” he noted.

Lt. Col. Omito stresses that modern port infrastructure is essential for unlocking inland water transport’s full potential. “Our objective is to build resilient maritime infrastructure that stimulates inclusive economic growth, attracts private investment and provides communities with efficient transport systems aligned to Kenya’s development agenda and the aspirations of AfCFTA,” he explains.

The second phase promises even greater transformation, he added that plans include a modern passenger terminal, administrative offices, an ablution block, improved road access, parking areas, an amphitheatre, ferry ramp and expanded drainage systems.

Together, Lt. Col. Omito, disclosed that these developments will enhance operational efficiency and position Homa Bay as a key regional transport node serving western Kenya and neighbouring East African markets.

Warrant Officer II Josephat Ochieng, who supervises civil works, says the community is already witnessing change. “For many years this waterfront remained largely idle because vessels could not safely dock here.

Today we are building infrastructure that restores confidence among transport operators, traders and fishermen while opening new opportunities for economic activity,” he notes.

He adds that lake transport offers significant advantages over road transport, especially for bulky cargo and agricultural produce.

“Safe mooring facilities, better passenger handling and reliable cargo movement will encourage more shipping activity on Lake Victoria.

That means lower transport costs, faster movement of goods and new employment opportunities throughout the maritime value chain,” said Ochieng