By KPC Reporter
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has defended the revival of Winam Port, saying increased cargo movement and regional trade links now demonstrate the value of long-term planning.
In a statement, Nyong’o said early skepticism over the project had been overtaken by tangible gains, noting that vessels MV Uhuru I and MV Uhuru II are now operating weekly routes from Kisumu to Uganda and Tanzania.
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“When we championed the revival of Winam Port… some chose doubt over vision, calling it ‘too much planning’,” Nyong’o said, adding: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”
According to the governor, the ships are transporting a range of goods including steel, sugar, cement, tiles, fuel and grain—signaling renewed commercial activity on Lake Victoria and easing pressure on road transport along the Northern Corridor.
“This is more than movement of goods; it is the steady pulse of economic renewal,” he said.
The port’s revival has been driven through collaboration between the county government and the national administration, and is anchored under the Kisumu Lakefront Development Corporation, which is spearheading infrastructure and logistics upgrades along the lakeside.
Nyong’o said the initiative is also creating opportunities for young people in manufacturing, packaging and transport sectors within Kisumu and neighbouring regions.
“Our youth are and will be deeply involved at the heart of this transformation,” he said. “Through these efforts, livelihoods are and will be rising and dignity will be restored.”
The governor added that Kisumu is positioning itself as a key regional trade gateway, reconnecting Kenya to inland water transport routes across East Africa.
“Kisumu is reclaiming its rightful place as a strategic gateway, linking the region, expanding trade, and opening doors of opportunity,” he said.
The renewed activity at Winam Port aligns with ongoing national efforts to promote the blue economy and diversify transport logistics, including shifting cargo from road to lake and rail to cut costs and improve efficiency.
Nyong’o maintained that while progress may appear gradual, the long-term outlook remains firm.
“The pace may seem measured, but the trajectory is clear and the destination assured,” he said, urging stakeholders to support the transformation agenda.
