KISUMU, 23rd December-Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) Managing Director CPA Wycliffe Ochiaga says the Authority recorded significant gains in revenue growth, agricultural modernisation, and institutional strengthening in 2025.
Ochiaga says the growth is positioning it as a key driver of sustainable socio-economic development in the Lake Basin region.
He said the year marked a turning point for the Authority as it aligned its programmes with the national Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), leading to improved farmer incomes, enhanced food security, and a strengthened pathway toward financial self-reliance.
Speaking during an end-of-year performance review, Ochiaga said LBDA focused on building long-term resilience through strategic investments, partnerships, and improved internal systems.
“2025 has been a defining year for LBDA. We expanded value-chain productivity, strengthened our revenue base, and deepened our institutional capacity while remaining aligned with national development priorities,” he said.
A major highlight of the year was increased investment in human capital and governance reforms.
The Authority trained 29 staff locally, supported international training for two officers, and offered industrial attachment opportunities to 182 students.
According to Ochiaga, staff welfare, mental well-being, and compliance were treated as key priorities.
“Our people remain our strongest asset, and investing in their skills and professional growth has been central to our progress,” he noted.
LBDA also posted notable gains in it
As commercial ventures, particularly in real estate, aquaculture, and livestock value chains.
Occupancy rates in malls under the Authority’s management rose from 30 per cent to 45 per cent following the operationalisation of the real estate division.
At the Kibos Aquaculture Centre, LBDA produced more than 15 million fish fingerlings and trained over 600 farmers, strengthening local food systems while generating sustainable revenue.
In agriculture, the Authority intensified support for rice farmers through a mopping-up programme that saw 5,000 tonnes of rice procured from various schemes at Sh60 per kilogram.
Rehabilitation works at the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme also advanced, with 8,000 acres targeted for production.
“These interventions injected much-needed resources into local economies and helped stabilise farmer incomes during a critical period,” Ochiaga said.
Environmental conservation and climate resilience remained central to the Authority’s agenda.
More than 380,000 seedlings were propagated, flood mitigation works were carried out in Nyando, Kisumu County, and 14 boreholes were drilled and equipped to improve access to clean water.
Looking ahead, Ochiaga said LBDA plans to complete the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme, roll out the South West Kano irrigation project in Kisumu, and scale up poultry and horticulture value chains to empower farmers and youth.
Despite challenges such as climate variability and ageing infrastructure, Ochiaga said lessons from 2025 will guide stronger strategies in 2026.
“With continued collaboration and disciplined execution, we are firmly on course to deliver greater impact for our communities and achieve financial self-reliance,” he said.
