The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced plans to launch a new ferry service between Homa Bay pier and Sena Pier, underscoring its commitment to enhancing infrastructure and transportation in the Lake Victoria region. This announcement was made by KPA Managing Director William Ruto during a recent tour of Muhuru Bay in Migori County on Wednesday.
Ruto, alongside a team from KPA, visited key areas including Sori Karungu Bay in the region to assess current port facilities and discuss future upgrades. The tour highlighted KPA’s ongoing efforts to modernize smaller ports and improve access to transportation on the lake.
The ferry service, once operational, is expected to play a vital role in the transportation of goods between Homa Bay and Sena Pier. The service is poised to boost regional commerce, particularly benefiting the fishing industry and cruise tourism sectors, which are crucial to the local economy. As part of the broader modernization strategy, the Homa Bay pier is nearing completion, with significant infrastructure improvements underway, including the construction of a jetty, access roads, a ferry ramp, drainage systems, and walkways.
The ferry service is a strategic part of KPA’s efforts to unlock the economic potential of Lake Victoria’s transportation routes, providing a significant boost to trade in the area. The project aligns with the authority’s larger vision to modernize smaller ports, thus improving regional logistics and facilitating smoother trade flows between the lakeside towns and beyond.
KPA has also been working on upgrading other major facilities, such as the Terminal Operating System (TOS) at the Port of Mombasa. This upgrade is aimed at increasing the port’s capacity, ensuring that it can handle the rising volumes of trade. The Port of Mombasa is a key gateway for landlocked countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi, making it an essential hub for regional trade. The ongoing investment in infrastructure, technology, and equipment at Mombasa port is crucial in maintaining its competitive edge, particularly with increasing competition from Dar-es-Salaam port.
KPA’s ambitious projects are designed to position Kenya’s ports as critical transport and logistics hubs in East Africa, with the ferry service marking another step in the modernization of the region’s maritime infrastructure. The agency is confident that these developments will play a key role in driving economic growth and strengthening Kenya’s position as a maritime leader in the region.
