Kisumu Port handles first coal shipments from Tanzania, boosting regional trade
Kisumu Port is opening a new chapter in regional trade following the arrival of coal shipments from Tanzania — a move that signals a shift toward bulk industrial cargo and a new inland supply route for manufacturers in western Kenya.
The development marks the first time the lake port has handled coal, positioning Kisumu as a strategic entry point for industrial raw materials from southern Tanzania's mineral-rich Songea region.
First consignment arrives via Lake Victoria
The shift has already taken shape with the arrival of a 1,200-tonne consignment of industrial coal delivered aboard MV Uhuru I from Mwanza. The shipment is being seen as the beginning of what could become sustained bulk cargo movement through the port.
Negotiations between Tanzanian exporters and Kenyan buyers are at advanced stages, targeting manufacturers in western Kenya and expanding into inland markets such as West Pokot.
Makau said the goal is to establish a new commercial corridor linking suppliers in Tanzania with industrial consumers in Kenya's interior.
New logistics model for inland industries
Unlike petroleum products that largely transit through the port to Uganda, coal shipments are expected to serve domestic industries directly. The new route is set to support manufacturing, construction and other energy-intensive sectors within Kenya.
Interest in the corridor is being driven by the cost advantages of lake transport, offering suppliers in southern Tanzania a shorter and more efficient route compared to long-distance road haulage.
To support the new cargo line, the port is aligning operations to handle bulk shipments and larger vessels capable of transporting higher tonnage per voyage. Some vessels are already carrying up to 1,000 tonnes per trip, boosting the port's capacity to sustain bulk cargo flows.
The entry of coal is also expected to attract other commodities such as clinker and fertiliser, strengthening Kisumu's position as a logistics hub for inland trade and regional supply chains across Lake Victoria.
Cargo volumes continue to rise
The new business line comes amid steady growth in activity at Kisumu Port. Cargo throughput reached 459,601 tonnes in 2025, with projections pointing to further expansion as new cargo streams take root.
Performance in early 2026 continues the upward trend, with 145,753 tonnes handled between January and March, representing a 46% increase compared to the same period last year.
Export volumes for March alone stood at 44,301 tonnes, largely driven by petroleum but increasingly supported by other cargo categories.
Vessel traffic has also surged, rising from just 10 vessels in 2017 to 124 in 2025, with the port now receiving 25 to 30 ships per month on average. In March this year, the port handled 26 vessels, up from 23 in February and 18 in the same month last year.
The growth in cargo volumes, vessel calls and diversification highlights Kisumu Port's expanding capacity — laying the groundwork for bulk cargo streams like coal to scale up in the months ahead and strengthening Kisumu's role in East Africa's logistics network.
What do you think about the new coal corridor?
Will this boost manufacturing and create jobs in Kisumu? Tap the WhatsApp button above and share your thoughts on the port's expansion.