• Login
  • Help Guide
View Item 
  •   JOOUST IR Home
  • Journal Articles
  • School of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
  • View Item
  •   JOOUST IR Home
  • Journal Articles
  • School of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

The Decline of Lake Victoria Ferry Services in Kenya, 1961-2012

Thumbnail
View/Open
Budi_ The Decline of Lake Victoria Ferry Services in Kenya, 1961-2012.pdf (554.6Kb)
Publication Date
2023-09-01
Author
Budi, Nashon Budy
Orondo, John Akumu
Okuro, Samwel
Odhiambo, George
Type
Article
Metadata
Show full item record
Abstract/Overview

This study examined the operations of Lake Victoria Ferry Services since the independence of the East African countries in 1961 when the management was under the East Africa Railways and Harbors (EARH) and later the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC).At the beginning of the 20thcentury the British colonial government established Lake Victoria transport as an extension of railway line in the lake region in Kenya and into Uganda. Despite some challenges, lake transport demonstrated progress in its services and expansion during the colonial period. However, when the management was transferred to the independent governments of East Africa, the operations of ferries were affected by the inefficiencies which marked the beginning of its decline. This study was guided by Politics of the Belly Theory of Bay art who associates underdevelopment of Africa long after independence with corrupt practices of African leaders. The theory shows that postcolonial African leaders have personalized the state for their own and their ethnic community’s gain thereby neglecting the regions which are perceived to be opposing the ruling regime. A Historical Research Design was used to conduct this study. Non probability sampling methods and procedures were used to identify informants during the collection of primary data. Other primary data were gathered from Kenya National Archives and Railways Museum in Nairobi. Secondary data was collected from relevant publications and other materials. Findings: The data obtained were analyzed using content and thematic analysis techniques. This study established that transition in management from colonial to independent East African governments, competition from road transport and disintegration of East African Community led to the decline of maritime transportation on Lake Victoria. In order to revive ferry services on the Lake, major rehabilitations on the existing ports must be done and modern ports built. In the same vein new transport vessels should be acquired. Finally, a permanent solution to the threat of water hyacinth must be pursued and regular dredging of navigational channels done regularly. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study suggests that, the government should promote integrated transport planning as well as developing proper regulations guiding Lake Victoria transport.

Subject/Keywords
Lake Victoria; Transport; Ferries; Ports; Kenya; Independence
Publisher
Journal of Historical Studies
ISSN
2520-345X
Permalink
http://ir.jooust.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/13030
Collections
  • School of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences [363]

Browse

All of JOOUST IRCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

My Account

LoginRegister

Statistics

View Usage Statistics

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023-4 Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
P.O. Box 210 - 40601
Bondo – Kenya

Useful Links

  • Report a problem with the content
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Deaccession/Takedown Policy

TwitterFacebookYouTubeInstagram

  • University Policies
  • Access to Information
  • JOOUST Quality Statement