The construction of Usenge Pier in Bondo, Siaya County has commenced following the groundbreaking ceremony presided over by His Excellency President William Ruto today.
Speaking during the occasion the President announced that the phase one of the project will be completed in six months.
The development project spearheaded by the Kenya Ports Authority at a cost of KES 600 million will be undertaken in two phases.
Before unveiling the plaque, the Head of State was taken through a brief presentation on the project designs by the KPA Managing Director Capt. William K. Ruto.
The new Usenge Pier will serve as a modern fish landing site and lake transport hub for passengers interconnecting between Luanda K’otieno, Mbita, Homa Bay, Sena and Kisumu.
Upon completion, the facility will ease road transport time from Kisumu by half an hour with water bus and ferry services alongside other scheduled landing sites.
The site will position Lake Victoria as suitable for port logistics, cargo handling transportation, passenger movement and fish processing while accelerating the economic development within the lake region.
The phase one of the project will encompass supply, installation/construction, testing, commissioning and handing over of earthworks (cut, fill and leveling), perimeter wall, main gate and guard house. Others include landscaping works and construction of 25 m wide by 200 m long jetty.
"After phase one, we will be back for construction of cold room, dryers and storage facilities, " the President added.
The development is in line with the Government's agenda to boost trade, create jobs, promote tourism and advance the region's blue economy.
KPA, as the leading Government implementing agency, has successfully driven the vision with upgrades progressing in smaller lake ports starting with the launch of the first phase of Homa Bay Pier in May 2025.
Similar developments are planned for Sio Port, Asembo Bay, Mbita, Muhuru Bay, Karugu and Luanda K'Otieno. These are the nodes that will connect the lakeside communities providing efficient and reliable water transport.