By MN Reporter

Kisumu county has continue to benefit from handshake projects between president Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga in revamped port services.

According to Kenya Ports Authority, since its rehabilitation that kicked off in 2018, the Port of Kisumu has registered tremendous growth as the inland water way port serves the Nyanza and lake region parts of Uganda and Tanzania.

“Statistics show that vessel calls to the port have consistently increased from seven in 2018 to 77 in 2021,” the authority said in a social media post.

In this period, the port handled a cumulative 54,000 metric tons of cargo last year from 10,000 metric tons in 2018, showing a positive growth.

“Petroleum products transported through MV Uhuru makes the bulk of cargo to the neighboring Port Bell and Jinja in Uganda and Mwanza in Tanzania,” the authority added.

Other products include fertilizer, cement, sugar, and beer. Last month, the port handled 3,292 metric tons of fertilizer to Uganda through MV Orion II.

The impact is set to improve further as refurbishment of the Port of Kisumu is still ongoing with the fendering along the quay now complete, and yard construction at 80 percent.