President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday made day-long impromptu working visits of Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD), Kisumu Shipyard and the new Mbita Bridge.
At the ICD, the President witnessed the trans-shipment of container cargo from the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to the Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) and took a train ride from Naivasha to Longonot.
Uhuru was accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi.
He hailed the partnership between Kenya Railways and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) for the successful execution of the SGR to MGR container cargo trans-shipment project.
From Longonot railway station, the Head of State flew to Kisumu Port where he toured the Kisumu Shipyard and inspected the ongoing construction of MV Uhuru II wagon ferry, dry dock and slipway.
The construction of the wagon ferry was commissioned by President Kenyatta and his Burundi counterpart Evariste Ndayishimiye in May last year during the inauguration of the Kenya Shipyards Limited.
In Mbita, the President inspected the new bridge which replaced the 1983 causeway. The Government is dredging the area to remove the massive siltation that has been a hindrance to human activities on the lake including fishing and maritime transport.
Speaking to Mbita residents who turned up to welcome him, the President called for peace and tranquility as the country heads to the forthcoming polls saying national unity was one of the reasons for his 'handshake' with former premier Raila Odinga.
"We want to continue having peace. We want to continue having unity as Kenyans. This political year, we want Kenyans to be united," the President said.
The bridge replaced the causeway which separated Lake Victoria waters between Mbita and Rusinga Island.
Uhuru expressed confident that the project will also enhance the ability of fishermen to have more catch in Lake Victoria.
“The dredging work is ongoing and I want our fishermen to benefit more after completion. The free flow of water from both sides will make fishermen have easy time in their work,” Uhuru said.