Chinese Ambassador Tours Kisumu Port: Strengthening China-Kenya Ties
Kisumu recently played host to the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, who toured the Kisumu Inland Container Depot (ICD) as part of efforts to explore new opportunities for collaboration between Kenya and China. This was her first visit to Lake Victoria and the Kisumu port since assuming office — and a strong signal of the growing diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
The ambassador was warmly received by Port Manager Patrick Mutua, who walked her through the port's ongoing upgrades, recent milestones, and vast investment potential.
“This is my first time visiting Lake Victoria, and I am impressed by the vast opportunities here,” Ambassador Haiyan said. “I see great potential in transport, tourism, and logistics. I’ll definitely be sharing this with Chinese investors who are keen on partnering in this region.”
She also noted the port’s strategic location near Uganda and Tanzania, calling it a key gateway for regional trade and tourism. Her remarks echoed Kisumu’s vision of becoming a central economic hub for the East African Community (EAC).
A Port on the Rise
Mr. Mutua highlighted how much the Kisumu ICD has transformed since it was handed over to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in 2012. Cargo handling has seen a massive boost — from 15,000 metric tonnes in 2017 to over 280,000 metric tonnes in 2024.
Currently, fuel exports dominate outbound cargo (58%), followed by ceramic tiles (23%), construction materials and steel billets (13%), and bagged fertilizers (6%). These goods are mainly shipped to regional destinations like Jinja and Port Bell (Uganda) and Mwanza (Tanzania).
To accommodate future demand, the port is undergoing major infrastructure upgrades. Plans include expanding the berth to hold up to six vessels at once, and the construction of a modern passenger terminal to boost inter-county and regional lake transport.
“Once the new Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu is complete, this current site will mainly serve as a passenger terminal,” Mutua added. “We’re excited about what this means for tourism, mobility, and trade.”
New Routes and Investment Opportunities
KPA is also proposing new landing sites in counties around the lake — including Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori — to strengthen last-mile connectivity across the Lake Victoria Basin. These projects are open to public-private partnerships, and investors have been invited to take part.
“We are grateful for Ambassador Haiyan’s visit and look forward to building even stronger ties with China,” said Mutua. “This region is full of promise, and we welcome partners ready to grow with us.”
Bigger Picture: China-Kenya Ties on the Rise
The ambassador’s visit comes just a month after President William Ruto’s state visit to China, where several key infrastructure deals were signed — including funding for the SGR extension from Naivasha to Malaba, cutting through counties like Narok, Bomet, Kericho, and Kisumu.
Ambassador Haiyan’s presence in Kisumu is likely to spark even more interest from Chinese firms under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which promotes global infrastructure development and regional integration.
With these developments, Kisumu continues to position itself not just as a lakeside city — but as a strategic, thriving gateway to East Africa.