Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan toured the Kisumu inland container depot to explore potential areas of collaboration as the lakeside city repositions itself as a key economic gateway to countries in Great Lakes Region and the East African Community (EAC) bloc.

The visit, her first to the port and to Lake Victoria since assuming office, signals growing diplomatic and economic ties between Kenya and China.

Ambassador Haiyan was received by Port Manager Patrick Mutua who took her through the facility’s recent developments and investment prospects. Speaking during the visit Ambassador Haiyan described the experience as an eye-opener, citing the port’s strategic location and untapped potential in transport, tourism, and logistics.

“This is my first time visiting Lake Victoria and I am impressed by the vast opportunities here. I see great potential in the areas of transport, tourism and logistics, and I look forward to sharing these insights with Chinese investors keen on tapping into this region’s diverse opportunities,” she said.

The ambassador underlined that the port’s proximity to neighbouring countries like Uganda and Tanzania, which she said presents a unique opportunity to develop cross-border passenger and cargo services, bolstering trade and tourism in the region.

Port Manager Patrick Mutua, on his part, highlighted the transformation the facility has undergone since being handed over to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in 2012.

Major renovations, he said, have led to a remarkable increase in cargo throughput, from 15,000 metric tonnes in 2017 to an impressive 280,000 metric tonnes in 2024.

Mutua noted that fuel exports currently dominate outbound cargo, accounting for 58 per cent of shipments, followed by ceramic tiles (23 per cent), construction materials and steel billets (13 per cent), and bagged fertilizers (6 per cent).

These goods are primarily destined for regional markets including Jinja and Port Bell in Uganda and Mwanza in Tanzania. To further enhance operations and regional connectivity, the port, he said was undergoing significant infrastructure upgrades.

He revealed that KPA was in the process of expanding the berth to accommodate six vessels simultaneously adding that plans were also underway to construct a modern passenger terminal at the facility.

The terminal, to be fitted with modern facilities, he said, will facilitate inter-county and regional passenger transport opening up new routes for travellers and tourists through the lake.

“We are really looking forward to this project which is expected to make this facility vibrant. If you look at the new design for standard gauge railway (SGR) line from Naivasha to Kisumu, we are going to have a new port. Therefore where we are now will be mainly a passenger terminal,” he said.

Additionally, he said, KPA has proposed new landing sites in Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori counties to improve last-mile connectivity across the lake basin.

“These investments are open to public-private partnerships, and we welcome interest from development partners and investors. We are grateful to Haiyan for her visit and look forward to deepening ties with China in advancing the port’s growth,” he said.

The visit by the Chinese envoy comes a month after President William Ruto’s state visit to China where he sealed major infrastructure deals including a new funding model for the new SGR railway line, which will connect Naivasha to Malaba, passing through several counties including Narok, Bomet, Kericho and Kisumu.

Haiyan’s visit to Kisumu is expected to catalyse further interest from Chinese firms, especially in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which prioritizes infrastructure development and regional integration in more than 150 countries and international organisations.

• A Tell Media  KNA report/ By Chris Mahandara