The government has announced significant progress in the construction of the Dhogoye Bridge in Usenge, Siaya County, saying the long-awaited project will restore a critical transport link between Siaya and Busia counties while boosting trade and economic integration around the Lake Victoria basin.
Providing an update on Friday, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA)-led project is steadily advancing after construction resumed following years of delays.
“The ongoing construction of the Dhogoye Bridge in Usenge, Siaya County, is a strategic project by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) that is restoring a vital link between Siaya and Busia counties,” Omollo said.
The bridge is expected to provide an all-weather crossing that will improve the movement of people and goods while enhancing access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services.
A solution to years of transport disruptions
Residents living along the Bondo–Usenge–Osieko corridor have for years struggled with recurring transport disruptions caused by rising water levels in Lake Victoria, which frequently submerged the existing crossing.
According to Omollo, the flooding often isolated communities, disrupting trade, education and access to medical services.
“For years, communities along the Bondo–Usenge–Osieko corridor endured frequent disruptions as rising waters of Lake Victoria repeatedly submerged the crossing point, cutting off access to markets, schools, health facilities and other essential services,” he said.
The new bridge is expected to eliminate these challenges by providing a permanent crossing that remains accessible throughout the year.
Construction back on track
Although construction began in 2021, the project stalled for an extended period before work resumed earlier this year.
Omollo said the revived project has recorded steady progress over the past four months, with construction continuing uninterrupted.
“Following a prolonged stall after works commenced in 2021, the project was revived and construction has proceeded uninterrupted over the last four months, registering notable progress on site,” he said.
The government expects the bridge to significantly improve regional connectivity once completed.
Boosting trade and regional integration
Beyond easing transport challenges, the bridge is expected to stimulate economic growth by strengthening trade links between communities in western Kenya and neighbouring counties.
Omollo said the project will improve the transportation of agricultural produce, facilitate commerce and deepen social and economic integration across the Lake Victoria region.
“Once completed, the bridge will provide an all-weather crossing, ease the movement of people and goods, enhance regional trade and deepen social and economic integration between communities on both sides of the lake basin,” he said.
The project forms part of the government’s wider infrastructure agenda aimed at improving road connectivity and supporting economic development in underserved regions.
Part of a broader infrastructure drive
The latest update comes just days after the government outlined progress on another flagship infrastructure project—the redevelopment of the Bomas of Kenya into the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC).
Omollo recently said construction at the Nairobi facility has entered the roofing and finishing stages, with the project expected to transform Kenya into a leading destination for international conferences, exhibitions and high-level diplomatic events.
The upgraded complex will feature an 11,000-seat auditorium, modern meeting facilities, a high-security presidential pavilion, hotels, retail outlets and recreational amenities.
According to the government, both the Dhogoye Bridge and BICC projects are expected to create employment opportunities, stimulate local economies and strengthen Kenya’s long-term infrastructure capacity as the country pursues its national development agenda.
