Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), a specialised body of the East African Community (EAC), has completed the construction of its new ultra-modern headquarters in Kisumu, signalling a major milestone in regional integration and sustainable development for the Lake Victoria Basin.

With final touches now underway, the Ksh458.9 million ($3.6 million) state-of-the-art facility is set to be officially handed over to the LVBC Secretariat on May 31, 2025 paving the way for relocation later this year.

The building, situated on a scenic 2.8-acre site along the shores of Lake Victoria donated by the Government of Kenya in 2016, is designed to centralise and enhance the Commission’s operations.

EAC Cabinet Secretary (CS) Beatrice Askul who led a delegation of EAC ministers on an inspection tour of the building expressed satisfaction with the works.

“We commend the contractor for delivering on this ambitious project. This facility will significantly boost the operational efficiency and visibility of LVBC across the region,” she noted.

The new complex is a flagship symbol of the EAC’s commitment to sustainable development, featuring modern office spaces and cutting-edge conference facilities.

LVBC Executive Secretary (ES) Dr Masinde Bwire said the building would not only serve as the agency’s headquarters but would go a long way towards enhancing regional integration.

“We are excited to transition into this new facility, which reflects our growing role in coordinating critical transboundary initiatives. This headquarters will enable us to serve the more than 40 million residents of the Lake Victoria Basin more effectively,” he said.

The project’s second construction phase commenced on August 7, 2023, following a formal handover to a new contractor on July 25. The phase was financed at a cost of $2.56 million.

In a demonstration of continued support, the EAC Council of Ministers approved an additional $802,126 during its 46th Ordinary Meeting in Arusha in November 2024, bringing the total project budget to $3.6 million.

Kenya’s State Department for Public Works under the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, and Housing and Urban Development oversaw the construction. The project aligns with broader regional objectives, including the EAC Vision 2050, which prioritizes environmental sustainability, infrastructure development, and regional cohesion.

The LVBC, established in 2001, is the only EAC agency with headquarters in Kenya and the only diplomatic mission located outside Nairobi. It is mandated to promote sustainable development and coordinate partner states’ efforts in protecting the Lake Victoria ecosystem.

The new headquarters marks a pivotal upgrade in capacity, positioning the Commission to better address complex challenges such as climate change, water resource management, and pollution control in Africa’s largest freshwater body.

The face of the newly completed Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) Headquarters building along Nkrumah Street in Kisumu city. The EAC agency is set to occupy the building on May 31, 2025.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Chris Mahandara

EAC Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Beatrice Askul (in green, 4th from L) leads a team of EAC Cabinet Secretaries/Ministers on a tour of the building over the weekend. The ministers were in Kisumu for the 23rd Ordinary Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin (SECOM-LVB).

LVBC Executive Secretary Dr. Masinde Bwire addressing the media in Kisumu.