The Republic of Kenya has been integrated into the operationalization of the Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport (MLVMCT) regional project.
During a high-level meeting in Mwanza, United Republic of Tanzania, on 14th March 2025, the Permanent and Principal Secretaries directed the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) Secretariat to coordinate the development of a tripartite agreement between the United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of Kenya, and Republic of Uganda to integrate the Republic of Kenya into the operationalization of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC).
The Republic of Kenya was represented by Hon. Geoffrey Kaituko, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs in the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, while the United Republic of Tanzania was represented by Hon. Ludovick Nduhiye, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport.
Hon. Edith Mwanje, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, represented the Republic of Uganda.
The Permanent Secretaries also directed the Secretariat to coordinate a joint technical meeting of experts from the three countries to discuss in detail the operationalization of the MRCC construction.
Executive Secretary Dr Masinde Bwire Said, “the Republic of Kenya is critical in the implementation of this project since Lake Victoria, the second largest fresh water lake in the world is shared between the three countries and as a commission therefore we are happy with the decision”
The Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport (MLVMCT) Project was approved by the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank on 24th December 2016.
The three partner states—Republic of Kenya, Republic of Uganda, and United Republic of Tanzania—originally implemented the project for over four years, starting in May 2018 when it was launched.
As a result of the mid-term review of the project, conducted between May 2020 and September 2021, the project, which was initially a three-partner states initiative, was restructured into a two-partner states program.
The Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania agreed to implement the project as originally envisaged in the Project Appraisal Report.
The LVBC Secretariat and participating partner states have been coordinating and implementing this project since 2020.
The project timelines have been extended twice, with the latest extension being a nine-month period, from 31st December 2024 to 30th September 2025.
The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) is coordinating the implementation of the Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport (MLVMCT) regional project, which aims to enhance maritime transport, security, and navigational safety on Lake Victoria.
As part of this project, a Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) has been established in Ilemela, with the current construction progress standing at 71%.