The East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers has approved an additional USD 802,126 for the completion of the new Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) headquarters in Kisumu, Kenya. The decision was made during the 46th Ordinary Council of Ministers meeting held in Arusha, Tanzania, from November 23 to 28, 2024.
EAC Secretary General, Hon. Veronica Nduva, confirmed the approval of the funds, which will be used to complete ongoing construction work at the headquarters. This brings the total funding for the project to USD 3.54 million.
The second phase of construction, which began in August 2023, is expected to be completed within 12 weeks. The construction is currently 85% finished. The headquarters is located on a 2.8-acre site along the shores of Lake Victoria, land donated by the government of Kenya in 2016.
Once complete, the new headquarters will house various offices and facilities for the LVBC’s projects and programs. It will include state-of-the-art conference facilities and a center of excellence aimed at enhancing regional cooperation in managing the Lake Victoria Basin.
In a recent visit to Kisumu, Hon. Nduva toured the construction site and expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress. “I am pleased with the progress so far, and as a Community, we look forward to its timely completion and commissioning during the tenure of His Excellency President William Ruto, the current Chairperson of the Summit,” she said.
LVBC Executive Secretary Dr. Masinde Bwire reaffirmed the commitment of the Commission’s management to complete the project within the planned timeline.
During her visit, Hon. Nduva also met with Kisumu County Governor, H.E. Prof. Peter Anyang Nyong’o, and Nyanza Regional Commissioner Ms. Flora Mworoa to discuss the role of local and national governments in supporting LVBC initiatives. Governor Nyong’o pledged his full support for the Commission’s efforts within Kisumu County and the broader Lake Victoria region.
Governor Nyong’o further committed to rallying regional governors to support a proposed multi-sectoral program for the Lake Victoria Basin. This initiative, backed by the World Bank with a USD 450 million budget, aims to address key environmental and economic challenges in the region.
The LVBC has been in discussions with senior officials across the EAC Partner States, including Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, who have also expressed support for the program.
The LVBC, established in 2003 under the EAC Protocol for Sustainable Development of the Lake Victoria Basin, is the only EAC institution based in Kenya. It works across five East African nations — Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania — to coordinate the sustainable development and management of the Lake Victoria Basin.
