Plans to revive passenger and cargo transport on Lake Victoria have received a major boost after the government allocated Sh150 million to complete a new public ferry that will connect Kisumu, Homa Bay and several islands across the lake.
The funding, contained in the 2026/2027 Budget, will facilitate the completion of the vessel currently being assembled by Kenya Shipyards Limited in Kisumu.
Once commissioned later this year, the ferry is expected to provide regular transport services between Kisumu, Kendu Bay, Homa Bay, Muhuru Bay and island communities such as Mfangano, offering residents a cheaper and safer alternative to road travel.
The project forms part of the government’s broader effort to unlock the economic potential of Lake Victoria through trade, fisheries, tourism and improved connectivity.
Its launch will also mark a significant milestone in efforts to restore water transport on the lake, a sector that has remained largely underutilised despite serving millions of people across the region.
The ferry’s arrival comes as construction of key docking facilities nears completion. Government officials say piers in Homa Bay and Muhuru Bay are more than 95 per cent complete and will be ready to support operations once the vessel is launched.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has also announced additional funding for the rehabilitation of Mbita and Sena piers, further strengthening the lake transport network.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the project is aligned with the government’s Blue Economy agenda and is expected to complement ongoing investments in roads and other transport infrastructure around the lake region.
Beyond transporting passengers, the modern ferry service is expected to ease movement of fish, farm produce and other goods while reducing transport costs for traders and residents.
For communities that have for years relied almost exclusively on roads despite living along the shores of Africa’s largest lake, the project could signal the return of a transport system many believed had been forgotten.