How New Muhuru Bay Port Will Open Up Migori to Regional Trade [Photos]

The ongoing development and rehabilitation of Muhuru Bay Pier is expected to strengthen regional trade, improve fish marketing and unlock the Blue Economy potential of Lake Victoria in Migori County.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 27, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said construction works on the project, launched by President William Ruto in May 2025 and managed by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), were progressing, with the project incorporating measures to stabilise the pier approach and protect the shoreline from the effects of waves.

"Revetment works are progressing through the installation of a steel retaining barrier in the lake and the placement and compaction of rock fill to form and stabilise the pier approach while protecting the shoreline against wave action," he wrote.

The revetment works are expected to support the development of the pier by strengthening the shoreline and providing a stable approach to the planned port facilities.

Once completed, the project will feature a 50-by-30-metre reinforced concrete jetty designed to accommodate larger vessels. 

It will also include cold storage facilities to preserve fish, an administrative block to support port and customs operations, and perimeter security infrastructure.

The facilities are expected to improve fish handling and preservation while providing infrastructure for more efficient port operations and the movement of goods across Lake Victoria.

Omollo said the port would deliver benefits to fishing communities by reducing losses, improving access to markets and strengthening transport connections between lakeside towns.

"Once operational, the port will reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access for fishermen and strengthen lake transport links with Homa Bay, Sori and Kisumu," he added.

The improved connections are expected to provide fishermen and traders with better opportunities to transport their products to markets, potentially increasing earnings and supporting economic activities around the lake.

The Muhuru Bay project will also complement the upgrade of the Masara-Muhuru Bay road, linking improvements in lake transport with better road access. 

The combination is expected to create new opportunities for trade and investment in Nyatike and other parts of Migori County.

Meanwhile, Homa Bay Town is on the verge of becoming a regional gateway for trade, tourism and lake transport following the complete redevelopment of the Homa Bay Pier into a modern maritime facility.

In a statement on Monday, October 26, Omollo said the project had transformed the previously neglected waterfront along Lake Victoria into a facility with the potential to boost the local economy and improve connectivity across the region.

"Four years ago, this prime stretch of the Lake Victoria waterfront lay abandoned, choked by water hyacinth and weeds.

"Today, it has been transformed into a modern maritime facility with the potential to reshape the town's economic prospects and strengthen its connection to the wider Lake Victoria region," he wrote.

According to Omollo, the redevelopment, implemented by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), includes a modern ferry ramp designed with a 30-degree gradient to facilitate smooth roll-on/roll-off operations.

He said the facility had also been equipped with supporting infrastructure to improve port operations and accommodate passengers and cargo, with construction works now complete ahead of its official commissioning.

"The facility also features terminal buildings, warehouses, a ferry waiting bay and a permanent administrative office. Construction is complete, and the pier now awaits official commissioning," he added.