• He also laid foundation for MV Uhuru 2, which is the first ship to be built in Kisumu after 70 years in conjunction with the Kenya navy.
• Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who is in the country on a two-day State visit, will be the Chief Guest during the 58th Madaraka Day celebrations.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday launched Kisumu Shipyard Limited, ahead of Madaraka Day celebrations that are set to take place in Kisumu this year.
He also laid foundation for MV Uhuru 2, which is the first ship to be built in Kisumu after 70 years in conjunction with the Kenya navy.
Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye landed at Kisumu International Airport at around 10:15 am on Monday, aboard a Kenya Airways Dreamliner aircraft.
Ndayishimiye who was accompanied by First Lady Angeline Ndayubaha was received by ODM leader Raila Odinga, Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo and other senior government officials.
The Head of State, who is in the country on a two-day State visit, will be the Chief Guest during the 58th Madaraka Day celebrations.
Uhuru and Ndayishimiye arrived at Kisumu Port where they were scheduled to commission several projects among them the Kenya Shipyards Limited, the new Kenya Railways Marine School, and the refurbished MV Uhuru Cargo Ship.
The two East African leaders announced renewed relations between Kenya and Burundi, saying the countries had signed several agreements in agriculture, sports, public service, culture and foreign affairs among other sectors.
The yard, which was rehabilitated by Kenya Defence Forces, is part of the Lake Transport revival plan as Kenya aims to reposition its military to be a catalyst for industrialisation.
The revitalisation of the port, which has been dormant since early 2000, started in 2019, a year after the truce between Uhuru and ODM party leader Raila.
The aim was to open up water transport, open business opportunities and connect Kenya to the Eastern Africa counties.