President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday officially commissioned the Kisumu Shipyard and the floating of MV Uhuru II ship which is nearing completion.
MV Uhuru II will be commissioned later this year to complement the old MV Uhuru 1 built in 1966.
The Sh2.4 billion vessel with a capacity of 1,800 tonnes is being built at the Kenya Shipyard Limited's Kisumu facility by Kenyan agencies, including the KDF, in partnership with Dutch firm-Damen shipyards.
Completion of MV Uhuru II will bring Kenya's total vessel capacity at the Port of Kisumu to above 3,060 tonnes.
The President, glad in a rain court, braved heavy downpour as he commissioned the project as dignitaries accompanying him shielded themselves from the rain with umbrellas.
Prior to the floating ceremony, the President visited the artificial impression of the MV Uhuru II ship stand where he was taken through the construction process of the ship.
This is the first ship to be constructed and locally assembled in the country as Kenya positions itself to tap into the potential of Lake transport and blue economy.
According to the Kenya Shipyard Limited, the local assembly of the ship saved the Kenyan taxpayers Sh1.3 billion.
