Orengo Moves Siaya One Step Close to Having AnIntegrated Port Facility

By Eric Omwombo 

Kenya Ports Authority KPA in partnership with the County Government of Siaya seeks to establish Usenge port to ease transportation.

According to KPA representative William Tunui, the authority has partnered with Governor James Orengo’s administration to establish a port in Usenge.

“As part of KPA, we have come to Siaya to  ascertain whether there is enough land to establish a port,” said Tunui.

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“We have partnered with Siaya and in the deal, the county government has to avail land.
So far Usenge land is only 1.7 acres. The development of the ports is part of the government initiative aimed at revamping feeder ports that extend to Migori and Homabay.

We shall put up a modern port in Usenge once the county avails the land. The project will commence immediately. Though some details are part of engineering but basically we will ensure enabling environment for businesses in Siaya.”

He also added that Usenge will be the entry and exit points for businesses and passengers.

In terms of employment, the project will absorb locals based on the required categories but when the port has grown, it will absorb staff based on expertise and that will be done through consultation between National and County government.

Tunui urged fishermen to form cooperatives that would help them drive the sector.
Orengo hailed Usenge residents for embracing the port project.

“The people of Usenge have unanimously endorsed the project of building of port in Usenge,” said Orengo clarifying that the project is not a jetty nor a pier, but a full fledged port.

The project will enhance economic development in Siaya since it will ease transportation of large quantities of goods on large vessels.

Orengo who was accompanied by Agriculture Executive Silvester K’Okoth, Lands Executive Maurice Orege, Tourism Executive Anjeline Oduor, Roads Executive George Nyingiro, Trade Executive Grace Agola and MCA’S Francis Otiato said locals will have opportunity to earn as they do business across the lake.

He further asked locals to cooperate with KPA during the establishment of the port.

Once they are done with survey and construction kicks off, fishing activities will not be halted, the activities will run concurrently. Once it’s fully developed the port will have units hosting KRA, Immigration and the police.

Orengo also appealed to the Siaya assembly to expedite processes for approving regulations that it’s delaying the release of cooperative development fund to the traders.

We have KES 50 million reserved for the CDF and it’s regulation that it’s halts it’s disbursement and so let assembly hasten the processes.