Glimpse of hope as Lake Victoria's blue economy takes shape

When 60-year-old Joshua Ochogo looks at Lake Victoria every day, he vividly remembers numerous accidents that claimed the lives of many people due to a lack of proper means of transport on the lake.

Ochogo, a resident of Radiro Village in Kanyabala Location, Homa Bay Sub-county, can hardly forget September 21, 2021, when ten people died in a tragic boat accident in Lake Victoria.

The ten were travelling from Homa Pier in Homa Bay Sub-county to Ndhuru Beach in Mbita Sub-county through Lake Victoria. They died when their boat capsized just about 300 meters way from where they boarded it.

Ochogo, who is a retired Senior Principal Chief of Homa Bay County, is one of the senior citizens who witnessed the transition from the safe to the riskiest means of transport in Lake Victoria.

When Ochogo was still in his youth, the two ships operated between Homa Bay and Kisumu through Lake Victoria.

The ships used to carry passengers from Homa Bay to Kajimo beach, Kendu Bay, and Kisumu.

At the time, water transport was the most popular for residents who were travelling from Homa Bay to Kisumu. This was due to the comfort and safety guaranteed on the ships.

“Whenever my father wanted to go to Kisumu, he would always board a ship because it was comfortable. At that time, there was no tarmacked road between Homa Bay and Katito town in Kisumu County. Road transport to Kisumu was very cumbersome because vehicles were traveling on a rough road,” Ochogo said.

However, about 30 years ago, the ships stopped operating on the lake. Motor boat operators intervened to bridge the transport gap created by the ships.

The boats provided transport, but with numerous challenges. The limitations included a lack of guaranteed safety and the inability to carry voluminous luggage compared to ships.

Ochogo said the risky nature of boats led to a loss of many lives in the lake.

“When the ships stopped operating, the boats came to offer transport in the lake. Their services have been prone to accidents, which have killed many people. The most recent fatal accident was in 2021, which killed ten people when I was still in service,” Ochogo said.

To revitalise transportation in Lake Victoria, the government has upgraded several ports in the region as counties also invest in lake safety as they seek to exploit the blue economy.

In Homa Bay, the reconstruction of the pier has brought hope to residents and reintroduced maritime transport and trade that used to be a thing of the past.

Today, however, the first phase of construction has been completed, and vessels can now begin using the facility.

The second phase of the construction is also going on in which ferry ramps are being constructed. The other structures whose construction is underway include the administration block for the Kenya Ports Authority, Immigration offices, the Amphitheatre, eateries, and a relaxation place.

Last month, Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan told The Standard the government is already assembling a ferry that will operate at Homa Bay port.

“There is a ferry being assembled, and the work is at an advanced stage. When complete, it will be brought to Homa Bay to operate in this port. Meanwhile, the facility is in a good state for other vessels, including ships to operate,” Lilan said.

These come after President Ruto commissioned the facility during his tour of the region last week.

The administrator said the State is committed to promoting caged fish farming, value addition to fish, and improved transport in Lake Victoria.

He urged Homa Bay residents to position themselves for wealth creation.

The chairman of Traders in Homa Bay Sub-county, Jack Nyambega, expressed hope that the port is a big impetus to wealth creation.

According to Nyambega, Homa Bay pier is going to revive dormant businesses besides improving the existing ones in the area. He said the port will enable the exportation of transportation of goods, especially fish from Homa Bay to other countries through Kisumu International Airport.

“We expect that this port is going to open Homa Bay for business and connect it to Kisumu International airport. This will enhance international trade on our fish other goods produced in this county,” Nyambega said.

He said the port is also going to boost eateries in the area.

“My colleagues who are operating hotels are going to get customers for their food and rooms for accommodation. We thank the government for constructing the port,” Nyambega said.

Businessman Martin Odingo said the port is going to promote tourism and hospitality industry in Homa Bay. He said the port will enable many tourists to visit various tourist attractions in Homa Bay County.

Homa Bay has a number of tourist attractions such as Ruma National Park, Tom Mboya Mausoleum in the historic Rusinga Islan, Nyamgondho Wuod Ombari, Lake Simbi, Gor Mahia shrine among others.

In Kisumu, Governor Anyang' Nyong'o's administration has unveiled new fibreglass boats to improve transport and safety.

The initiative is a product of a partnership between Kenya Shipyards Limited and the Kisumu County Government, through the Kisumu Lakefront Development Corporation, aimed at improving safety for lakefront communities.

Speaking during the launch at Nanga in Seme Sub-County last week, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said the fibreglass boats were designed with safety, durability, and stability in mind—while also unlocking new economic opportunities for local communities.

“With a carrying capacity of 1,500kg per trip, these boats enable our fisherfolk to venture deeper into the lake and return with larger, more profitable catches,” he said. “The result is improved livelihoods and enhanced food security.”

The Governor recounted the longstanding tragedy of fishermen lost to the lake’s storms due to the vulnerability of traditional wooden boats.

Additional reporting by Olivia Odhiambo