By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, June 26, 2026 - A long-overdue overhaul of Muhuru Bay pier on the shores of Lake Victoria is expected to revive cross-border commerce with Tanzania, expand fisheries, attract fresh investment and reposition the sleepy Migori County town as one of western Kenya's most important inland ports.
The project, being undertaken by Kenya Shipyards Limited on behalf of the Kenya Ports Authority, forms part of the government's wider push to unlock the economic potential of the blue economy through modern maritime infrastructure under Kenya Vision 2030.
Once completed, the upgraded facility will feature a reinforced commercial pier, reclaimed waterfront, improved cargo handling areas and modern security systems designed to support growing trade volumes while improving safety and operational efficiency.
Officials say the development is intended to transform Muhuru Bay into a strategic logistics hub serving Kenya, Tanzania and the wider Lake Victoria basin, where trade has steadily declined after decades of deteriorating infrastructure.
"The project is designed to develop sustainable civil and marine infrastructure that enhances inland water transport, supports fisheries and promotes responsible utilization of Lake Victoria," said Lt Col Brian Omito, Manager of Civil and Modular Maritime Works at Kenya Shipyards Limited, who is supervising the works.
For many residents, the project marks the return of an economic lifeline that once sustained thousands of livelihoods.
"I was born and raised here," said Tobias Otieno, a carpenter employed at the construction site. "Years ago, large vessels from Tanzania transported oranges, maize and dagaa here. Once this pier is complete, wholesale trade will return and businesses around Muhuru Bay will thrive again."
The revival comes at a time when governments across East Africa are increasingly investing in inland water transport to lower logistics costs, ease pressure on road networks and strengthen regional trade links.
Lake Victoria remains one of Africa's busiest inland waterways, yet many landing sites and ports have suffered decades of underinvestment, limiting their commercial potential despite growing demand for fish, agricultural produce and passenger transport.
Business owners say the decline of Muhuru Bay pier severely disrupted commerce between Kenya and Tanzania.
Emily Anyango Otieno, a trader dealing in the popular silver fish known as dagaa, said deteriorating infrastructure had gradually driven away Tanzanian traders, shrunken supplies and reduced incomes.
"I used to make around Sh10,000 a day," she said. "But as the pier deteriorated, fewer boats came and dagaa became scarce. We are looking forward to its completion because more traders and buyers will return."
The modern facility is expected to reduce transport bottlenecks, shorten delivery times and minimise post-harvest losses that have long plagued the fishing industry around Lake Victoria.
Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko and Nyatike MP Tom Odege lauded the state initiative as good.
Beyond fisheries, Ayacko say improved connectivity could stimulate investment in tourism, hospitality, warehousing, transport services and real estate.
This Ayacko and Odege explained would also strengthen commercial ties between Kenya and Tanzania under the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
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Veteran businessman and lawyer Jared Wigina believes the town is poised for a renaissance.
"In the 1970s Muhuru Bay was a vibrant trading centre with ships arriving regularly," Odege said.
This investment can restore that status by revitalizing tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, transport and hospitality. It will create employment, attract investors and help reduce poverty."
The construction phase has already injected new income into the local economy through employment of residents, with demand rising for accommodation, food supplies and transport services.
Local leaders also expect the upgraded port to encourage complementary investment in road infrastructure linking Muhuru Bay to Migori town and neighbouring markets, improving the movement of goods from farms to regional and international buyers.
For Kenya, the redevelopment represents more than a local infrastructure project.
It reflects a broader strategy to leverage the country's inland waterways as engines of economic growth, diversify transport networks and deepen regional integration through more efficient maritime logistics.
Interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo coordinating the projects, explained that they form part of the government's wider strategy under Kenya Vision 2030 to unlock the economic potential of inland waterways through modern maritime infrastructure.
“This is part of President William Rutos bottom-up economic transformation agenda. We want to open and revive active inland water transport and marine services in Lake Victoria to promote the blue economy,’’ Omollo explains. President Ruto is committed to revolutionalising the ports, both in Mombasa and Kisumu. He has been to Kisumu port to commission the rehabilitation works and to ensure that his administration revives active inland waterways.
This Is now happening with modernization of feeder ports in the counties in Nyanza and Western that are surrounded by Lake Victoria from Sio port in Busia, to Muhuru Bay in Migori County.
And as heavy machinery reshapes the once-neglected waterfront, optimism is returning to a town whose fortunes have long ebbed with the waters of Lake Victoria.
Omollo says the state is delivering diligent services to promote the blue economy and asked the residents to support the state to do more.
If the project delivers on expectations, Muhuru Bay could once again emerge as one of the lake's busiest commercial gateways—linking producers, traders and investors across East Africa while breathing new life into an economy that had been anchored for decades.