Nyong’o unveils boats to allow fishermen access deeper into Lake Victoria
By Nancy Marende, August 5, 2025Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has unveiled five state-of-the-art fibreglass fishing boats to allow fishermen to venture deeper into Lake Victoria to improve livelihoods and food security.
In a statement on August 5, 2025, the governor stated that the boats will offer durability and unmatched safety to the fishermen.
“Today, we begin to turn that tide. The fibreglass vessels we’ve commissioned are not only built for safety with unmatched durability and stability, but they also unlock new economic frontiers. With a carrying capacity of 1,500 kg per trip, these boats allow our fisherfolk to venture deeper and return with bigger, more profitable catches,” read the statement in part.
The governor also unveiled a patrol vessel and upgraded landing sites at Nanga (Seme Sub-County) and Kichinjio (Kisumu Central) to revitalise the region’s blue economy and enhance the safety of fisherfolk on Lake Victoria.
Further, he hailed the initiative as a bold declaration of progress, resilience, and commitment of the county government to the safety and prosperity of our lakefront communities.
“For years, we’ve grieved the loss of our brave fishermen brothers, fathers, and sons whose wooden boats were no match for the fury of Lake Victoria’s storms. Their lives cut short, their families left grieving, and their economic potential unfulfilled,” he stated.
Additionally, Nyong’o stated that the initiative, executed through the Kisumu Lakefront Development Corporation in partnership with Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL), reflects a strategic government-to-government procurement model that prioritises transparency and long-term impact.
Governor Nyong’o also called on the national government to zero-rate taxes on fibreglass boat-building materials, arguing that such a policy shift would lower production costs and accelerate the countrywide shift to safer and more productive vessels.
Indian Ocean boats
This comes a month after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced that the national government is in the process of acquiring boats to enable fishermen to access the deep ends of the Indian Ocean.
Speaking at Jilore Grounds in Kilifi County during the economic empowerment programme on Saturday, July 5, 2025, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki revealed that the boats will arrive in the country in a few months.
According to Kindiki, the acquisition will enable Kenyan fishermen to venture into the high seas for their trade.
“We are investing in acquiring boats. President William Ruto has instructed the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Cabinet Secretary (CS) Haasan Joho to acquire deep-sea boats for fishermen in the next few months. The process has begun,” he announced.