Kisumu: Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, toured the Kisumu Inland Container Depot to explore potential areas of collaboration as the lakeside city repositions itself as a key economic gateway for the East African Community (EAC). The visit, her first to the port and to Lake Victoria since assuming office, signals growing diplomatic and economic ties between Kenya and China.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ambassador Haiyan was received by Port Manager Patrick Mutua, who took her through the facility's recent developments and investment prospects. Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Haiyan described the experience as an eye-opener, citing the port's strategic location and untapped potential in transport, tourism, and logistics. She highlighted the port's proximity to neighboring countries like Uganda and Tanzania, which presents a unique opportunity to develop cross-border passenger and cargo services, bolstering trade and tourism across the region.
Port Manager Patrick Mutua highlighted the transformation the facility has undergone since being handed over to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in 2012. Major renovations have led to a remarkable increase in cargo throughput-from 15,000 metric tonnes in 2017 to 280,000 metric tonnes in 2024. Mutua noted that fuel exports currently dominate outbound cargo, with a significant share also comprising ceramic tiles, construction materials, steel billets, and bagged fertilizers, primarily destined for regional markets including Uganda and Tanzania.
In efforts to further enhance operations and regional connectivity, the port is undergoing significant infrastructure upgrades. KPA is expanding the berth to accommodate six vessels simultaneously and constructing a modern passenger terminal to facilitate inter-county and regional passenger transport, opening new routes for travelers and tourists through the lake. Additionally, KPA has proposed new landing sites in Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori counties to improve last-mile connectivity across the lake basin. These investments are open to public-private partnerships, welcoming interest from development partners and investors.
The visit by the Chinese envoy comes a month after President Dr. William Ruto's state visit to China, where he sealed major infrastructure deals, including a new funding model for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line to connect Naivasha to Malaba, passing through several counties including Narok, Bomet, Kericho, and Kisumu. Haiyan's visit to Kisumu is expected to catalyze further interest from Chinese firms, especially in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which prioritizes infrastructure development and regional integration in more than 150 countries and international organizations.