SIAYA, Kenya — Construction of the Usenge Pier in Bondo, Siaya County, has officially begun following a groundbreaking ceremony led by President William Ruto, in a project aimed at boosting transport and fisheries along Lake Victoria.
The Kenya Ports Authority said the first phase of the Sh600 million project is expected to be completed within six months. The works will include earthworks, perimeter wall construction, installation of a main gate and guard house, and landscaping.
Phase one will also deliver a 25-metre-wide and 200-metre-long jetty designed to serve as a modern fish landing site and transport hub for the lake region.
Officials said the pier is expected to cut travel time by water between Kisumu and the area by about 30 minutes, while opening up opportunities for cargo handling, passenger movement, and fish processing.
The project is part of broader plans to position Lake Victoria as a viable corridor for port logistics and inland water transport to support regional economic growth.
According to KPA, the Usenge facility will enhance connectivity for lakeside communities and stimulate trade within the region, particularly in fisheries and small-scale cargo transport.
The authority noted that the development follows similar upgrades in smaller lake ports, including the first phase of the Homa Bay Pier launched in May 2025.
Additional lake port projects are planned for Sio Port, Asembo Bay, Mbita, Muhuru Bay, Karugu and Luanda K’Otieno, which officials say will form a network of transport nodes across the lake.
KPA said the initiative is aimed at improving reliable water transport, reducing road congestion, and unlocking economic opportunities for communities along the lake basin.
