The quest by Kenya to control East Africa's maritime trade has received a boost after the Kenya Shipyard Limited (KSL) handed over the Sh2.4 billion MV Uhuru II vessel to Kenya Railways Cooperation.
The 1,800-tonne MV Uhuru II was built by Kenyan agencies including experts from the Kenya Defence Forces in partnership with Dutch firm Damen Shipyards.
The 100-meter MV Uhuru II vessel with a capacity of carrying up to 22 wagons and an estimated two million litres of crude oil per trip is the first ship to be made in the country.
According to Kenya Shipyard Ltd, assembling the ship locally saved Kenyan taxpayers Sh1.3 billion, an amount that would have been used on imports.
Speaking in Kisumu during the handover at the Kisumu Shipyard, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said the vessel will open new doors for trade and commerce and also open doors for employment opportunities which will then stimulate economic activities across the Lake Victoria basin.
"As we look into the future, the operationalization of MV Uhuru II significance extends beyond her immediate operational capabilities," she said.
The CS said in addition to the construction of maritime vessels the KSL has developed capacity to undertake heavy engineering works and civil modular works such as the construction of landing sites.
Transport CS Davis Chirchir was optimistic that the ship will transform the region's economy.
Chirchir noted that MV Uhuru I has already transported more than 7 million litres of petrol in a span of two years which is only 0.3 percent of the market share, which means the new ship will expand the country's market share.
"As you are aware, the waterway is the cheapest transport that we can leverage on and be a competitive economy. With respect to infrastructure and regional connectivity MV Uhuru II operation has commenced at a time when the government has implemented significant infrastructure investment around Kisumu port," he said.
The Transport CS acknowledged that the combined efforts of MV Uhuru I and MV Uhuru II will enhance mobility efficiency while ensuring rapid economic growth.
"This will not only support the Kenya vision 2023 but will also help improve to connect the corridors-Uganda and Tanzania-in order to support long-term development," he noted.
MV Uhuru II will complement MV Uhuru, which was revived two years ago and has been hauling oil products to Uganda.
