Up 46% in Early-Year Trade reported
Cargo traffic at Kisumu Port is projected to reach 700,000 metric tons in 2026, a sharp rise from the 459,601 tons recorded in 2025, signaling a major revival of trade across Lake Victoria.
The growth reflects increasing use of lake transport between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, with businesses turning to water routes as a more affordable and efficient alternative to road transport.
Officials from the Kenya Ports Authority say ongoing infrastructure upgrades and operational reforms are driving the port's strong performance.
New trade routes emerging
A major development is the arrival of coal shipments from Songea, Tanzania, passing through Kisumu for the first time. According to Cargo Services Manager Patrick Makau, discussions are at advanced stages between Tanzanian exporters and buyers in West Pokot to establish a new commercial corridor.
This move is expected to diversify the port's cargo mix, which has traditionally been dominated by petroleum products.
The new trade stream was highlighted by the arrival of MV Uhuru I on April 18 carrying 1,200 tonnes of industrial coal from Mwanza.
Petroleum still leads cargo volumes
Petroleum products remain the port's main cargo, supported by twice-weekly tanker shipments to Uganda through Port Bell and Jinja. The MV Uhuru II continues to play a central role in this trade, alongside vessels such as MV Mpungu, which has expanded carrying capacity.
Kisumu recorded 26 vessel calls in March, up from 23 in February and 18 in the same month last year — a clear sign of increasing activity.
Export volumes in March reached 44,301 tonnes, driven largely by petroleum shipments, alongside ceramic tiles, steel products and machinery. Cargo throughput for the first quarter reached 145,753 tonnes, representing a 46% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Major upgrades driving growth
The port's expansion is supported by significant infrastructure improvements, including:
- Expansion of the quay from 262 metres to 392 metres
- Dredging works to improve vessel access
- New cargo handling equipment and storage facilities
KPA says the next focus is integrating lake transport with rail to create a seamless multimodal logistics system.
Improved navigation aids and stronger security coordination on Lake Victoria are also boosting confidence among shipping operators.
Positioning Kisumu as a regional trade hub
Beyond cargo, the port's growth is expected to support wider economic activity across the Lake Victoria basin, including fisheries, tourism and regional trade.
Looking ahead, Kisumu Port is preparing for containerized lake transport, with plans to handle up to 4,000 TEUs, further cementing its role as a key inland logistics hub in East Africa.
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