Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), a specialised institution of the East African Community, has completed the construction of its new ultra-modern headquarters in Kisumu. 

The completion of a state-of-the-art facility built at an estimated cost of $3.54 million (Sh457.3 million) marks a major step toward regional integration and environmental sustainability in the Lake Victoria Basin. 

It is slated for official handover to the LVBC Secretariat on May 31, 2025, paving the way for relocation later this year. The Commission staff are currently located at Prosperity House. 

Strategically located on a scenic 2.8-acre plot along the shores of Lake Victoria—land donated by the Government of Kenya in 2016—the new headquarters has been purposefully designed to consolidate and streamline the Commission’s operations. 

The location symbolises LVBC’s deep-rooted connection to the lake and its central role in managing the basin’s shared resources. 

Leading a high-level inspection of the facility, EAC Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul praised the progress and quality of the project, acknowledging the role of stakeholders in delivering such a transformative infrastructure development. 

“We commend the contractor for delivering on this ambitious project. This facility will significantly boost the operational efficiency and visibility of LVBC across the region,” she said. 

The building stands as a tangible expression of the EAC’s dedication to sustainable development. Featuring advanced office spaces, modern amenities, and high-capacity conference facilities, it will serve as a key hub for collaboration and policy coordination among partner states. 

LVBC Executive Secretary Masinde Bwire highlighted the broader implications of the new facility, framing it as a strategic enhancement of the Commission’s capacity to support over 40 million people residing within the Lake Victoria Basin.  

“We are excited to transition into this new facility, which reflects our growing role in coordinating critical transboundary initiatives. This headquarters will enable us to serve the Lake Victoria Basin’s population more effectively,” he said. 

The second phase of construction, launched on August 7, 2023, followed the appointment of a new contractor after a formal handover on July 25. This phase was financed at $2.56 million.  

Commitment to the project 

Further demonstrating the regional bloc’s commitment to the project, the EAC Council of Ministers approved an additional $802,126, about Sh105.9 million,n during its 46th Ordinary Meeting held in Arusha in November 2024.  

The development was supervised by Kenya’s State Department for Public Works, under the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, ensuring adherence to quality standards and alignment with Kenya’s infrastructure priorities.  

The project also reflects broader regional development goals under the EAC Vision 2050, which emphasises environmental protection, infrastructural growth, and economic integration. 

Founded in 2001, LVBC is the only EAC institution headquartered in Kenya and uniquely situated outside the capital, Nairobi. 

It carries the crucial mandate of harmonising and promoting sustainable development initiatives while safeguarding the ecological health of the Lake Victoria Basin. 

With enhanced facilities and resources, the Commission is now better equipped to tackle pressing regional challenges such as climate change, water pollution, biodiversity loss, and the sustainable management of Africa’s largest freshwater lake.