Planner and urban specialist Patrick Adolwa has stated that Kisumu is not maximizing its potential despite its strategic location along Lake Victoria. He noted that the city has resources and opportunities for major investments in transport, fisheries, tourism, and trade. Adolwa emphasized that development should not be measured solely by infrastructure but also by improvements in people's living conditions, including access to housing, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Adolwa, in an interview with Radio Generation, called for a broader approach to planning and development. He argued that Kenya needs to change how it defines development, focusing on more than just visible infrastructure such as roads, airports, and stadiums. According to Adolwa, Kisumu's position within the Great Lakes region and its agricultural base provide opportunities for growth. However, he noted that poor exploitation of these assets has left the county performing below its potential.
Kisumu has a history as an important railway and lake transport centre, with the railway station and harbour established in 1901 when the city was known as Port Florence. Adolwa questioned why, after over a century, the facilities had not undergone the expected level of transformation. He pointed out that Lake Victoria, Africa's largest inland water body, remains largely underused despite the opportunities it offers in transport, tourism, and other economic activities.
Adolwa identified agriculture as another area that could drive Kisumu's economy. He cited opportunities in rice and sugar-cane production, alongside fisheries and tourism based around Lake Victoria. The planner emphasized that county governments should focus on developing local economic assets that can create jobs, generate wealth, and increase own-source revenue. This approach would help counties reduce their reliance on funds allocated by the national government.
The planner also used the example of large-scale investments, such as the proposed Dangote refinery, to illustrate how major projects can generate economic activity beyond the facilities themselves. He noted that an oil refinery has a huge value chain around it, including logistics, ports, pipelines, petroleum products, and other businesses that can grow around such an investment.
Adolwa urged Kenya to position itself as a regional hub by developing facilities that can serve neighbouring countries and support trade beyond its own borders. He emphasized that the country needs to identify and develop opportunities capable of creating a much larger economy. According to Adolwa, there wasn't a shortage of information on Kisumu's potential, and government planning agencies and regional development authorities had documented the resources and opportunities available.
Adolwa concluded that the bigger problem has been the failure to put in place practical measures to turn identified opportunities into economic activity. He emphasized that Kenya needs to change its approach to development and focus on more than just infrastructure. By doing so, the country can unlock the potential of its regions, including Kisumu, and create a larger economy.
Key points
- Kisumu has the resources and strategic location to become a major economic hub but poor exploitation of assets has left county performing below potential.
- Planner and urban specialist Patrick Adolwa calls for a broader approach to planning and development.
- Kisumu's economy can be driven by agriculture, fisheries, and tourism based around Lake Victoria.
