Water transport investors in Lake Victoria are banking on the planned construction of the Standard Gauge Railway line to Kisumu to grow.
Mbita Ferry Ltd, the biggest investor in lake transport vessels in the region, is focusing on handling cargo and increasing its presence in passenger transport.
The company, which began its operations in 2001, has 11 vessels operating in Kenyan waters and two vessels in Tanzania.
The ferry in Kenyan waters plies routes such as Mbita Town in Homa Bay County to Luanda Kotieno in Siaya County, and other islands around Mfangano main Island.
Those operating in Tanzania named MV Alestus and MV Tilapiia ply between Mwanza and Bukoba ports respectively.
Mbita Ferry Managing Director James Orege said the company has been specialising in handling cargo and passengers but is eyeing heavy cargo.
“We are currently strategising on how to increase our cargo handling capacity following the move by the government to extend the Standard Gauge Railway to Kisumu,” said Mr Orege.
The MV Mbitta that plies the Mbita Town to Lwanda Kotieno route in Siaya County can carry up to 500 tonnes. It charges adults Sh150 and children Sh50 to cross from the Mbita to Luanda Kotieno.
The ferry can carry up to 20 motor vehicles. A car is charged Sh930 while a lorry is charged Sh2,320.
The manager said motorists who do not want to be inconvenienced by road traffic often resort to the ferry to reach their destination.
“Most of our customers crossing the lake with their motor vehicles do so because it is cost-effective and save time,” said Mr Orege.
Dancun Aroko, a motorist who is a regular customer of the ferry, said he prefers using the facility from Kisumu town to Homa Bay or Mbita Town.
The ferry makes the journey short and saves fuel, hence it is cost-effective,” said Mr Aroko.
Another ferry plying the Lake Victoria islands such as Rusinga, Takawiri and Mfangano serves residents who cross to the mainland for their businesses. Each ferry makes at least five trips daily.
Following increased popularity of water transport in Lake Victoria, the County Government of Homa Bay had announced it would purchase a public ferry. The promise however has not been honoured.
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