The newly built MV Uhuru II ship, valued at Sh2.4 billion, has embarked on its maiden cargo journey from Kisumu Port to Uganda’s Port Bell, marking its official entry into service on Lake Victoria.
This milestone comes after the vessel, constructed by Kenya Shipyards Ltd, was officially handed over to Kenya Railways, which will manage its operations on the freshwater body. The ship was commissioned by President Dr. William Ruto in October 2023.
MV Uhuru II operationalisation demonstrates its compliance with the international shipping safety and efficiency standards, ensuring its readiness for maritime transport duties on the lake.
The new vessel is set to complement the operations of MV Uhuru I, which was rehabilitated and launched in 2019, significantly boosting the capacity for transporting goods such as petroleum products, steel, fertiliser, and other finished products across Lake Victoria.
During the handover ceremony, Kenya Shipyards Ltd Managing Director Major General Said Farah officially transferred the instruments of ownership of MV Uhuru II to Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, speaking at the event, highlighted Kenya’s commitment to enhancing regional trade and transport efficiency on the lake.
“MV Uhuru II official entry into the service and our first operational journey on Lake Victoria today is indeed a monumental step in advancing Kenya maritime infrastructure and the blue economy,” said Chirchir.
The 100-meter vessel, with a carrying capacity of over 1,000 metric tonnes of cargo per voyage, is expected to revolutionize maritime logistics in East Africa, meeting the growing demand for efficient cargo transportation.
Chirchir also noted the significant growth at Kisumu Port since its rehabilitation, with cargo handling increasing to over 127,000 metric tonnes of dry cargo in 2023 alone. MV Uhuru I has moved 7 million litres of petroleum products since its revival in 2019.
With her introduction, Kenya Railways aims to conduct three voyages weekly to Port Bell and Mwanza, with plans to further enhance heavy cargo movement in the region by 2025.
The CS emphasised the ship’s critical role in fostering economic integration across the region by linking Kisumu Port to Mwanza Port in Tanzania, and to Port Bell in Uganda, thus boosting trade and economy for the entire region.
He called for the swift removal of trade barriers within the East African Community to improve the efficiency and transparency of cross-border trade. “We are working to harmonise and standardise processes to reduce transaction time and the cost of doing business in our region,” assured Chirchir.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, who also attended the event, hailed the development as historic, positioning Kenya as a maritime hub, particularly in the lake transport and shipbuilding industries.
She noted that the new ship would bolster trade routes, create job opportunities, and stimulate economic activities across the Lake Victoria Basin.
The event was graced by Principal Secretary for Transport, Mohamed Daghar; Defence Principal Secretary, Patrick Mariru; Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, General John Omenda; and Kenya Navy Commander, General Paul Otieno, among other dignitaries.
By Robert Ojwang’
