Transportation on Lake Victoria is set to improve after the government allocated Ksh110 million to the State Department for Transport for the purchase of new ferries in the upcoming financial year starting July 2025.
According to budget estimates by the National Treasury for the 2025/26 financial year, the government plans to spend Ksh110,401,640 on acquiring the ferries, with an additional Ksh250 million projected for the 2026/27 financial year.
However, the Treasury did not disclose how many ferries will be purchased.
Additionally, Ksh64,584,959 has been allocated for the development of the Kisumu Marine School.
The planned ferry acquisition follows the March 2022 launch of a new ferry for commuter services on Lake Victoria. The vessel, with a capacity of 80 passengers, was introduced to connect various points in Siaya and Homa Bay counties.
The 2022 initiative was supported by the British government, which advanced Ksh442 million to Globology Ltd—a company that designs, owns, and operates safe and affordable diesel-powered motorised canoes.
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Former Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime Nancy Karigithu at the time said the ferry would enhance the movement of goods and cargo within the islands of the Lake.
“This will make four the vessels plying between Luanda Kotieno and Mbita route,” Karigithu said, adding that the move would boost transport and connect communities between Lake Victoria’s various mainland and island.
“The fund will be used to build five new ferries to be distributed in different routes and islands in Kenya and the neighbouring countries of Tanzania and Uganda.”
Ksh110 million for Lake Victoria ferries among funds allocated to State Department for Transport
In addition to the Ksh110 million earmarked for the purchase of new ferries, the National Treasury has allocated Ksh1 billion towards the construction of the Kenya Ferry Ramp in Mombasa.
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Several other transport-related initiatives have also received funding in the 2025/26 budget.
These include Ksh11 million for the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of projects, Ksh33.1 million for the refurbishment of Transcom House, and Ksh159.9 million for the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project.
The East African Trade and Transport Facilitation Project (under the Ministry of Transport) has been allocated Ksh22.1 million, while the National Transport and Safety Authority’s Safe Roads/Usalama Barabarani initiative received Ksh105.5 million.
Additionally, Ksh331.2 million has been set aside for the Nairobi Bus Rapid Transport Project.
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