President Uhuru Kenyatta made an impromptu visit to Kisumu Port to inspect the ongoing construction of a modern shipyard by the military personnel.
The President flew to the lakeside city shortly after 1:00 pm.
Accompanied by Chief of General Staff Robert Kibochi he was shown around and updated on the construction status.
During the tour, Regional Police Boss John Karanja and Commissioner Magu Mutindika beefed up security in and outside the port.
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o and ODM leader Raila Odinga earlier thought to have been with the President were not present.
The media were barred from entering the port and so were local business elites as the President and the military personnel moved around.
The modern ship is being built by the Kenya Navy and will be one of the largest shipyards with a slipway in East Africa.
Its completion is envisaged to open a new frontier for the lakeside county of Kisumu as it seeks maritime hub status.
A slipway functions as a platform on which ships are secured and winched out of water into a working area for construction, repair, refitting and maintenance.
The military-run shipbuilding agency, Kenya Shipyards Ltd (KSL), is at the heart of constructing the Kisumu shipyard.
Also accompanying the President was Chief Administrative Secretary for Defense Peter Odoyo.
Odoyo said the Defense ministry has been using Kenya Navy to help the government cut costs in maritime infrastructure development and maintenance.
KSL is credited with refurbishing the 56-year-old MV Uhuru, a ship owned by Kenya Railways, which had stalled for fourteen years.
The president later flew to Mbita to inspect the ongoing dredging work which is also being handled by the military personnel.
