By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 23 December 2025 - The Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) marked 2025 as a transformative year, consolidating its role as a key driver of regional socio-economic development while aligning with national priorities and global best practices.
According to LBDA Managing Director Wycliffe Ochiaga, “The year 2025 has been a defining period for LBDA as we continued to advance our mandate, remaining aligned with strategic objectives and the national BETA agenda.”
The Authority’s achievements in 2025 reflect a blend of institutional resilience, operational excellence, and forward-looking strategy.
LBDA invested heavily in human capital, equipping 29 staff members with specialised local training and facilitating international exposure for two staff.
Beyond internal capacity, the Authority provided industrial attachments to 182 students from diverse institutions and conducted comprehensive mental health and staff welfare programmes.
Governance and compliance received a boost with the operationalisation of the Affirmative Action Plan, Internship Policy, and Gender and Mainstreaming Policy, ensuring ISO 9001:2015 recertification.
ICT modernisation was a notable highlight, with the development and implementation of an ICT Policy enhancing cybersecurity, data governance, and digital maturity.
Automation also progressed, with more processes integrated into e-Government Procurement (e-GP) systems, improving transparency and operational efficiency.
Commercial performance gained momentum in 2025, spearheaded by the real estate division within the Commercial Services Directorate. Mall occupancy jumped from 30 to 45%, signaling stronger market confidence.
Pilot projects in Migori County’s hay production and livestock value chains delivered promising outcomes, while the Aquaculture Centre in Kibos produced over 15 million fingerlings, trained more than 600 farmers, and served as a learning hub for students across the region.
“These initiatives reinforce LBDA’s role in transforming local food systems and supporting livelihoods,” Ochiaga emphasised.
Agricultural modernisation advanced through partnerships such as the Safaricom Foundation’s Wezesha Programme, which established horticulture demonstration farms in Busia County, empowering youth with modern skills.
The Authority also executed a rice procurement initiative, buying 5,000 tons from local farmers at KSh 60 per kilogram, stabilising incomes and injecting liquidity into local economies.
Meanwhile, 20 kilometres of canals were rehabilitated within the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme in Homa Bay County, targeting 8,000 acres for production with projected yields of three tonnes per acre, promising higher local rice output and job creation.
Strategic partnerships expanded financing options for farmers, exemplified by an MoU with GreenTech Hub.
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Environmental sustainability remained central to LBDA’s operations, with the propagation of over 380,000 seedlings, 15 percent of which were fruit trees, flood mitigation via dyke construction in Nyando, and the drilling of 14 boreholes, enhancing community resilience and nutrition.
On the industrial front, LBDA’s rice mill achieved full automation in packaging, improving throughput, quality, and post-harvest efficiency.
This move reinforced market competitiveness, optimised operational performance, and strengthened revenue potential. The Authority also maintained strong stakeholder engagement, ensuring transparency and public confidence in its operations.
Looking ahead to 2026, LBDA aims to consolidate its gains and accelerate high-impact programmes.
Plans include completing the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme, launching the South West Kano irrigation project targeting 4,000 acres, and scaling up modern layer-farming in the poultry sector.
Ochiaga noted, “Guided by our sustainability strategy, we aim to steer LBDA toward full financial self-reliance within the next two years through enhanced commercial ventures, efficient internal systems, and expanded value-chain opportunities.”
While 2025 witnessed substantial progress, challenges such as resource limitations, climate-related disruptions, aging infrastructure, and occasional project delays tested the Authority’s adaptability.
Nevertheless, LBDA’s collective commitment positions it to deliver even greater impact for communities and the nation.
Winding his 2025 review, Ochiaga expressed gratitude to staff and the Board of Directors, emphasising that “resilience, clarity of vision, and unwavering focus remain the bedrock of our engagement with beneficiaries and partners.”
With a firm foundation laid in 2025, LBDA is poised for continued transformation, driving sustainable growth across the Lake Basin region.
LBDA Marks 2025 as a Year of Strategic Growth and Sustainable Impact
LBDA Boosts Training, Partnerships and Farmer Support in 2025
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