Kisumu has great potential, declares CS Murkomen

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Transport and Roads Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen has declared Kisumu a county with great economic potential, owing to the availability of Lake Victoria and the Port of Kisumu.

The CS however regretted what he termed as Kisumu's untapped potential, due to little investments in tourism, blue economy and marine transport over the years.

"And we are doing nothing to use the Lake for tourism, transport, blue economy, cruise ships among others. Anywhere in the world, people just want to have a small dam and use it to do big things," said the CS.

"It is important to say here that this is an untapped potential in the region. We will continue to make sure as an administration that the work that began here continues."

He acknowledged retired president Uhuru Kenyatta's administration for various development initiatives, including the refurbishment of the Kisumu Port and putting up of the Uhuru I and II ships.

Murkomen spoke on Friday at the Railway Training Institute (RTI) Marine Campus Kisumu, during the launch of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) courses.

"As a ministry, we’ll continue with our transformation agenda to ensure that Lake Victoria benefits our country and the wider region," he said.

He also witnessed the signing of a Memorundum of Understanding (MoU) between Kenya Railways and Kenya Utalii College.

The partnership seeks to enable graduates to access job opportunities in the wider marine sector, including hospitality in the cruise ship industry.

12 pioneer students sponsored by the Kisumu County government graduated on Friday.

The CS pledged to ensure they get job opportunities in the coming days.

Kisumu Deputy Governor Matthews Owili was among those in attendance.

"We are looking foward to a robust maritime industry in Kisumu," he stated.

Kenya Railways Chairman Mohamed Abdi, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga, Kenya Utalii College Chairman David Omusotsi and Kenya Maritime Authority Director General John Omingo were also present.