President Ruto breaks ground on Sh1 billion Usenge Pier to anchor lakeside trade

President William Ruto on Tuesday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sh1 billion Usenge Pier in Siaya County, a project designed to modernize maritime transport and support the fishing industry along Lake Victoria. The development forms part of a broader Sh9.5 billion government investment in blue economy infrastructure across the Nyanza region, focusing on reviving piers and establishing modern fish landing sites.

The Usenge Pier project includes the construction of a modern jetty and the upgrading of attendant port infrastructure to facilitate safer and more efficient vessel docking. The Kenya Ports Authority, which oversees the development of feeder ports and piers in the lake region, is tasked with the rehabilitation of the site to handle increased cargo and passenger traffic.

Speaking during the launch, President Ruto noted that the government is committed to unlocking the economic potential of the lake, which has remained underutilized for years. The new infrastructure is expected to reduce post-harvest losses for the locals by providing better access to markets and integrated facilities.

In addition to the pier, the government is implementing several complementary projects in Siaya to bolster the local economy. These include:

* Construction of a modern fish market at Usenge is worth Sh400 million.

* Development of three additional fish landing sites within the county.

* Upgrading of the Bondo to Usenge road to improve logistical connectivity.

* Installation of cold storage units to preserve aquatic products.

The President emphasized that the investment aims to transition the region from traditional fishing methods to a more commercialized blue economy framework. By providing reliable docking facilities, the pier will allow larger vessels to operate, potentially opening up trade routes between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania via the lake.

The locals have previously faced challenges with dilapidated jetties that limited the size of boats able to dock at Usenge Beach. The new pier will feature reinforced concrete structures and modern navigation aids to ensure safe operations during varying lake levels.

Beyond maritime works, the President highlighted that the government has allocated Sh1.6 billion for rural electrification in Siaya, targeting 16,000 households. This energy infrastructure is viewed as a critical component for the success of the new fish processing and storage facilities being built along the shoreline.

Government data suggests that the blue economy currently contributes approximately 0.6 percent to the national GDP. The administration plans to grow this figure significantly through such targeted infrastructure spending. The Usenge project is being executed in phases, with the initial groundworks focusing on site clearance and the stabilization of the shoreline to prevent siltation at the new jetty.

The ceremony was attended by local leaders and officials from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs. The completion of the pier is expected to coincide with the delivery of several other landing sites in Homa Bay and Kisumu, creating a networked transport corridor across Lake Victoria.