The refurbished Kisumu Port has kicked off operations, it has emerged, with 894,000 litres of diesel in 22 wagons having been exported to Uganda aboard the refurbished MV Uhuru.
The fuel landed at Uganda's Port Bell harbour, as was confirmed by Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Kisumu Depot Manager James Kimaiyo.
He on Tuesday said that the fuel was loaded on a train at the Kisumu depot before being shifted to the ship and shipped to Uganda.
"We loaded the product at our Kisumu depot before it was taken by rail and loaded into the vessel (MV Uhuru) for shipment to Uganda,” said Kimaiyo.
He added that the KPC is seeking to use the Sh1.7bn Kisumu Oil Jetty to increase its fuel exports to other countries surrounding Lake Victoria via the port.
According to Kimaiyo, the company is also seeking to work closely with the Kenya Railways, as part of the plan to expand it's market in the region, Uganda being the main client for now.
“As KPC, we have a plan working closely with Kenya Railways to support fuel exports through the lake,” he added.
The government also seeks to use the lake as a cargo route to landlocked counties like Uganda, and will also help in decongesting the roads for cargo trucks.
Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Daniel Manduku said that the port is ready to handle cargo. He added that works have been concluded at the port.