President Kenyatta commissions the Kisumu Shipyard, oversees floatation of MV Uhuru II

President Kenyatta stated in Kisumu that the Shipyard will be able to build, refit, convert, and maintain ships, as well as provide maritime services in the Lake Victoria region.

The President praised the achievement, saying that it will attract direct foreign and domestic investments in the long run, resulting in a cascading effect in the growth of the lake-region economy and the nation as a whole.

"The operationalization of this facility will create business opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people through growth of manufacturing industries and transport and safety on the lake, enhance inter-modular transport and more so boost our fishing, tourism and other economic activities in the lake-basin region," he said.

The facility, according to the head of state, has also played a significant role in empowering and equipping young people with shipbuilding skills.

This he called an accomplishment because of his plan to include young people in the nation's economic agenda under the Big Four Plan.

"What has impressed me most is the number of young Kenyans who have been empowered through acquisition of critical skills in ship building," said President Kenyatta.

"The mainstreaming of our young people in to the national economic agenda has bween a key plan in my administration development plan as envisioned in our big four agenda."

The president therefore requested county governments in the area to seize the chances provided by the facility to expand business opportunities in the area, which will in turn create opportunities for women and young people.

"I would urge the county governments in the lake region and take advantage of the economic opportunities spawn by the shipyards and by so doing it will be possible to unlock enormous business potential that abounds within the Lake Victoria basin and other inland waters to create more opportunities for our youth and women," noted President Uhuru.

President Kenyatta added that the facility would keep fostering relationships between Kenya and its allies in the East African region.

He vowed that the country would remain united with the partners in order "to sustainably exploit the natural resources available within our maritime borders for the benefit of our people."

The MV Uhuru II, which is nearing completion, is scheduled to be launched later this year. President Uhuru opened the dockyard valves before the floatation exercise to detect any leakage before the ship is launched.

The 100-meter vessel, which is expected to cost Ksh 2.4 billion, is the country's first ship to be built and assembled.

Kenyan agencies, including the KDF, collaborated with Dutch firm-Damen shipyards to build it at the commissioned Shipyard facility.

The MV Uhuru II is a complement to the outdated MV Uhuru 1, built in 1966, which is currently being run by Kenya Railways and transporting goods to Uganda, primarily petroleum products.

Compared to Uhuru I, which can hold 1,260 tonnes, it can hold 1,800 tonnes.

When MV Uhuru II is finished, the port of Kisumu's total capacity for Kenyan vessels will exceed 3,060 tonnes.

President Kenyatta was flanked by various top government officials including Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, military officials, and other leaders from the region.