Kenya: Australia’s High Commissioner to Kenya – Jenny Da Rin, has reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to support Kenya’s development priorities in maritime trade and expressed renewed interest in strengthening trade and investment ties with Kenya.
Reportedly, the envoy made the remarks when she visited the Kisumu Port of Kenya on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, where she held a consultative meeting with the Cargo Services Manager – Patrick Makau. The meeting mainly focused on expanding economic cooperation within the Lake Victoria basin.
As per the Kenya Ports Authority, Jenny Da Rin commended KPA for its leadership in advancing Kenya’s blue economy agenda. She noted the notable growth in Kisumu Port’s throughput in recent years.
Considering this growth, Da Rin stated that the Australian Government remains committed to support and collaborate with the Kenyan Government in enhancing business activities at Kisumu Port.
During the meeting, Manager Makau briefed the High Commissioner on the port’s operational performance, about ongoing developments, and its strategic importance in driving regional and national economic growth. He especially noted the Kenya Ports Authority’s infrastructural investment and the services that will continue to position the port as a key logistics hub.
Makau further added that, Kenya Ports Authority, through its investments, is opening up more business opportunities in Lake Victoria and is strengthening regional trade integration. He equally highlighted the port’s growing role in facilitating cargo movement across East Africa. He also talked about contributing towards job creation and socio-economic development in the region.
Their visit signalled towards growing interest by international partners in the revitalised inland port, which is increasingly attracting attention as a strategic node for trade and investment within the Great Lakes region.
Furthermore, in a historic feat, the Port of Lamu on Sunday evening welcomed the largest vessel ever to dock at any Port in East and Central Africa.
The MV Baltimore Express, a colossal, measuring 369 meters in length overall, arrived from Oman’s Salalah Port. To put that size into perspective, the ship spans nearly the length of three football pitches with 69 meters to spare. Many regional ports would struggle to accommodate such a giant, but Lamu stood up to the challenge.
With the port’s quay length of 400 meters per berth, MV Baltimore Express docked smoothly without any incident. The vessel operated by German shipping line Hapag-Lloyd, during her stay in Lamu handled restows of dangerous cargo by repositioning the DGs aboard the vessel in compliance to the International Maritime Organisation.