Kisumu set for major facelift as new projects reshape city skyline

Kisumu is set for a major facelift as Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s administration pursues a new plan to implement a major infrastructural upgrade of the lakeside city.

The plan is part of a wider strategy to attract investors to the lakeside city as the region continues to attract partnerships.

The projects will be implemented under the Kisumu Urban Support Programme whose first Phase transformed Kisumu’s general outlook with a major facelift and reorganization of the city.

Among the projects that were implemented include a new fire station, non-motorized transport, Rotary Vocational center, and Nyamasaria bus park, among others.

The projects gave Kisumu a new lifeline, shaping it to be among the cleanest cities with an effective non-motorized system that allows pedestrians to walk around the town with ease.

Today, plans to unveil a new set of projects are at an advanced stage as Governor Nyong’o’s administration pursues groundbreaking investments for the city.

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According to city manager Abala Wanga, the plans to implement new projects are at an advanced stage as they seek to unlock the city’s potential.

The plans include the establishment of an industrial area to improve the working conditions for trade and make it easier for customers to access goods.

“We expect to have a very organized place,” Wanga said.

As part of the plans to exploit the blue economy and the city’s tourism potential, Nyongo’s administration is also set to construct a marina long Dunga Front and Hippo Point as well as expand the non-motorized transport from the CBD to Dunga.

In the past, the construction of the Dunga road altered the scope of development along the waterfront and ushered in a new platform to exploit the location.

Local and international tourists have been flocking to various locations daily to witness the beauty of the sunset in the west of Lake Victoria. With the planned construction of the non-motorized transport, residents are optimistic that it will improve the economy of the area and expand its tourism potential.

According to the city manager, they expect to have a very big marina along Dunga and Hippo Point.

“We expect to have a serious convention center along the lake,” Wanga said. He noted that the lakefront needs to be converted to a marina park with a jetty that could handle more than 100 boats and speed.

The city manager highlighted plans to extend non-motorized activities from Nyerere Road, Ngumbi Streets, Mamba area, Patel, Lumumba estate, Makasembo, Anderson to Kachok and cross to Kisumu Polytechnic.

As part of the reorganization of the city, the devolved unit also plans to relocate manufacturers to its industrial park. This means that manufacturers along Obote road, Jua Kali, Kiboswa and Nyamasaria will be allocated space in the new industrial park.

“It is because this area has become a city where we need hotels, stores and the likes. This will allow the CBD to remain for other transactions,” Wanga said.

According to the city manager, they needed to organize one of the key entertainment zones next to Mamba hotel, beautify it, and talk to the restaurant owners to modernize their restaurants and line them up properly for daily entertainment.

Additional reporting by Harold Odhiambo