Kenya Railways is positioning its Marine Division as a key player in regional logistics, with bold plans to expand marine transport services across Lake Victoria.
With two cargo vessels - MV Uhuru I and the recently commissioned MV Uhuru II - already operating on separate routes, the state corporation is capitalising on growing demand to open up additional maritime corridors.
According to Kenya Railways Managing Director (MD) Phillip Mainga, the renewed focus on marine transport is part of a broader strategy to enhance intermodal logistics and revitalise Kisumu Port as a central hub for East African trade.
Operations at the rehabilitated Kisumu Port began between 2020 and 2021. "Back then, this area was completely overgrown with grass and weeds-you couldn't even access it," said Mainga. "But through government support, we began the rehabilitation process and are now seeing the impact." In an Interview with KNA, Mainga said the Marine Division's first major operation, he said, was in partnership with Gulf Energy, transporting 1.1 million litres of fuel from Kenya Pipeline depot in Kisumu to Jinja in Uganda.
