NAIROBI, Kenya — The government has initiated plans to upgrade more than 815 kilometres of roads across the Lake Victoria basin, marking a significant step in expanding infrastructure in western Kenya under a World Bank-funded programme.
The works will be undertaken through the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), which has invited consulting firms to carry out preliminary engineering designs for five major corridors. The projects fall under the World Bank-financed Lake Victoria Basin Development Project (LVBDP).
According to tender documents issued by KeNHA, the current phase will focus on feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, and preliminary engineering designs. The authority will also integrate fibre optic infrastructure along the selected routes to support digital connectivity.
Among the key corridors is the Nyagwethe–Sori–Muhuru Bay road and its spur links, spanning approximately 176 kilometres within Homa Bay County. The route is expected to improve access to fishing beaches, lakeside trading centres, and tourism facilities, strengthening the region’s blue economy.
Another priority corridor is the Asembo Bay–Otonglo–Awasi–Katito road and associated spurs, covering about 188 kilometres across Siaya and Kisumu counties. The stretch links agricultural zones to major transport arteries and is seen as vital for easing the movement of farm produce to markets.
KeNHA is also seeking consultants for the Port Victoria–Nyamonye–Asembo Bay corridor, measuring roughly 177 kilometres in Busia County. The road is projected to enhance connectivity to cross-border trade points near Uganda, supporting regional commerce under the East African Community framework.
In addition, the Homa Bay–Mbita–Nyagwethe road, covering approximately 174 kilometres along the lakeshore, has been earmarked for design works. The corridor is considered strategic for fisheries and tourism development around Lake Victoria.
Beyond the lakeside counties, the authority plans similar preliminary works on the Chavakali–Kapsabet–Eldoret road, a 100-kilometre stretch linking Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties in the North Rift. The road serves key agricultural areas and connects to Eldoret, a major transport and logistics hub.
KeNHA indicated that consultancy assignments will run between six and eight months, depending on the corridor. Selected firms will prepare technical studies and detailed designs ahead of procurement for construction.
The Lake Victoria basin has long faced infrastructure gaps, with poor road networks limiting market access, increasing transport costs, and constraining trade. According to government development blueprints, improved connectivity in the region is central to advancing equitable economic growth and supporting devolved county economies under Article 6 of the Constitution.
Analysts note that the integration of fibre optic infrastructure aligns with the government’s digital transformation agenda, potentially unlocking e-commerce, financial inclusion, and public service delivery in underserved communities.
If implemented as planned, the 815-kilometre upgrade could translate into multi-billion-shilling construction contracts in the coming financial years. However, execution timelines will depend on the completion of designs, environmental approvals, and budgetary allocations.
For western Kenya, the project signals renewed infrastructure focus, with the potential to boost trade, tourism, and agricultural productivity across the Lake Victoria basin while strengthening cross-border economic ties within the region.
