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Siaya County is on the cusp of an economic renaissance after a massive KSh9.5 billion investment was unveiled to supercharge blue economy activities along —a move expected to create jobs, boost trade, and uplift thousands of livelihoods across the region.
President on Tuesday presided over the groundbreaking and official launch of the KSh1 billion Usenge Pier in Bondo Constituency, a flagship project poised to redefine maritime infrastructure in western Kenya.
The pier, to be implemented by , is expected to significantly improve water transport and regional connectivity, particularly linking Siaya with neighbouring and . The development is also set to open up new trade corridors and ease the movement of goods and people across the lake.
Beyond the pier, the multi-billion-shilling investment package includes the construction of a modern fishermen rescue centre in Siaya at a cost of KSh250 million, alongside the procurement of rescue boats worth KSh70 million. These safety-focused initiatives aim to reduce fatalities on the lake and enhance emergency response capacity for local fishing communities.
In a further boost to aquaculture, the government will channel an additional KSh70 million into fish cage farming, a high-potential venture expected to increase fish production and create sustainable income streams for residents.
The integrated approach—combining infrastructure, safety, and production—signals a deliberate shift towards unlocking the full economic potential of Lake Victoria while ensuring sustainable resource use.
Analysts say the project positions Siaya as an emerging blue economy hub, with ripple effects likely to be felt across the entire lake region through job creation, enhanced trade, and improved standards of living.
As construction begins at Usenge, optimism is rising that the long-underutilized waters of Lake Victoria could soon become a cornerstone of economic growth—not just for Siaya, but for Kenya’s broader blue economy ambitions.