Examining how the Revamping and Construction of MV Uhuru I and MV Uhuru II Respectively by KRC in Collaboration with KSL have Promoted Socio-Economic Development in the Lake Victoria Region, Kenya

This study examines how the refurbishment of MV Uhuru I and the construction of MV Uhuru II by the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), in collaboration with Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL), have contributed to socio-economic development in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya. Lake Victoria, as Africa’s largest freshwater lake, serves as a vital hub for cross-border trade, fishing, and regional integration, but its potential has historically been constrained by aging infrastructure, inadequate investment, and limited vessel capacity. The revival of MV Uhuru I and the commissioning of MV Uhuru II therefore represent transformative state-led interventions aimed at modernizing inland water transport and enhancing Kenya’s position within the East African logistics chain. The study is anchored on the Developmental State Theory, which emphasizes the state’s active role in steering industrial growth, and the Ecological Modernization Theory, which highlights the potential for aligning economic development with environmental sustainability. A qualitative case study design was adopted, with data gathered through document analysis, expert interviews, and field observations at Kisumu Port to capture the perspectives of institutional actors, industry experts, and community stakeholders. The findings reveal that the operations of MV Uhuru I and II have substantially increased cargo handling capacity, reduced transport time and costs, and improved intermodal connectivity between Kenya and neighboring countries, while the local construction of MV Uhuru II at Kisumu Shipyard has stimulated industrial capacity building, skills transfer, and job creation. These developments have revitalized Kisumu as a strategic logistics hub and contributed to Kenya’s broader blue economy agenda by fostering sustainable resource use and regional integration. The study concludes that the collaboration between KRC and KSL demonstrates the transformative potential of public-sector investment in maritime infrastructure and recommends further expansion of local shipbuilding programs, strengthened policy support for inland water transport, and enhanced environmental safeguards to ensure sustainable operations on Lake Victoria.