Kisumu County has achieved a major milestone in its transformative vision to reposition the city as a vibrant lake-facing urban centre, with the African Development Bank (AfDB) granting $750,000 (about Sh96.9 million) to support a comprehensive feasibility study for lakefront development projects.

The funding, provided through AfDB’s Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF), will finance in-depth technical, financial, and environmental assessments of proposed projects along the Kisumu lakefront. These studies are expected to generate a pipeline of bankable urban development initiatives that promote climate resilience, inclusive growth, and sustainable urbanisation.

Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o welcomed the grant, terming it a “significant leap forward” in Kisumu’s lakefront transformation agenda. “This is a fantastic achievement and a critical step in our journey to make Kisumu truly ‘face the lake,’” he said.

“The feasibility study will give us the technical foundation to implement world-class, environmentally conscious, and economically viable projects that directly align with our County Integrated Development Plan and national planning frameworks.”

The governor noted that the city has already completed the City Profiling and Prioritisation phases, and the feasibility stage—now underway—marks the final preparatory step before implementation.

He emphasised that the forthcoming projects will be rooted in the Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan and will follow strict public financial management (PFM) standards. Nyong’o spoke when he held a high-level meeting with a delegation from AfDB led by Babati Mokgethi, the bank’s Senior Urban Development Officer in Kisumu.

The discussions centred on strengthening the partnership and ensuring that the outcomes of the study will directly impact urban development, job creation, and improved quality of life for the residents of Kisumu.

“We are grateful to the African Development Bank for walking this journey with us,” said Nyong’o.

“Their continued support reaffirms Kisumu’s place as a forward-looking, investment-ready city committed to climate-smart urban development.” The lakefront project is part of a broader vision to unlock the blue economy potential of Lake Victoria, positioning Kisumu as a regional hub for tourism, fisheries, innovation, and trade. AfDB’s Mokgethi disclosed that they had awarded a significant grant to Kisumu County aimed at accelerating blue economy initiatives in the Lake Victoria region,” he explained.