Author CPA Wycliffe Ochiaga, EBS
The year 2025 has been a defining period for LBDA as we continued to advance our mandate of promoting sustainable socio-economic
development across our region, while remaining firmly aligned with our strategic objectives and the national BETA agenda.
Throughout the year, we deepened our institutional capacity, expanded value-chain productivity, strengthened our revenue base, and built partnerships that anchor long-term sustainability. These achievements reflect our collective resilience, commitment to excellence, and clarity of purpose.
Our investment in human capital formed a strong foundation for the year’s progress. A total of 29 staff members received specialised local training across various disciplines, and two benefited from international training opportunities that enhanced their technical and leadership competencies.
To contribute to national skills development, we provided industrial attachment opportunities to 182 students from various institutions. Recognising the significance of staff welfare, mental health awareness programmes were conducted for all employees.
We also finalised and operationalised key governance instruments, including the Affirmative Action Plan, the Internship Policy, and the Gender Mainstreaming Policy, ensuring
that LBDA remains aligned with national priorities and global best practices.
ISO Certification
Our commitment to quality management was reaffirmed through successful recertification under the ISO 9001:2015 standard.
Additionally, we strengthened ICT governance through the development and implementation of the ICT Policy, which enhanced data security, cybersecurity, and overall digital maturity.
Our automation agenda also progressed significantly, with more processes digitised and integrated with e-GP systems for efficiency and transparency.
We made notable strides in strengthening our commercial portfolio and enhancing own-source revenue.
Operationalisation of Real Estate
The operationalisation of the real estate division within the Commercial Services Directorate led to an increase in mall occupancy from 30% to 45%, reflecting improved market confidence and operational efficiency.
The hay production and livestock value-chain pilot in Migori County demonstrated positive outcomes and presents a promising revenue stream as we scale up.
Our Aquaculture Centre in Kibos continued to be an important asset, producing over 15 million fingerlings and training more than 600 farmers, while also providing hands-on learning opportunities for students from institutions across the region.
Food Security
These initiatives reinforce LBDA’s role in transforming local food systems and supporting livelihoods.
Significant progress was also made in modernising agriculture and strengthening value chains in support of the BETA agenda.
Through our rice mopping-up programme, we procured 5,000 tonnes of rice from Ahero, Kimira-Oluch, Nyatike, Siaya, and Bunyala at KSh 60 per kilogram, injecting substantial resources into local economies and stabilising farmer incomes.
Construction and rehabilitation of 20 kilometres of canals within the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme in Homa Bay County advanced significantly, targeting 8,000 acres of land under production.
With a projected yield of 3 tonnes per acre, this initiative is poised to significantly increase local rice output, generate employment, and enhance food security.
To strengthen the downstream segment of the rice value chain, we created dedicated space at our rice mill plant for the full automation of the packaging component.
This strategic intervention is critical to improving throughput, ensuring consistency in packaging quality, and reducing post-harvest losses.
The automated system will significantly enhance processing capacity, enabling timely dispatch of milled rice to the market while meeting strict standards for weight accuracy, branding, and food safety.
This investment improves overall operational efficiency, strengthens market competitiveness, and positions the rice mill as a scalable commercial enterprise supporting farmer incomes and LBDA’s revenue sustainability.
To further strengthen productivity and financing options for farmers, we signed an MoU with GreenTech Hub Ltd, while our partnership with Safaricom Foundation under the Wezesha Programme began to bear fruit, with horticulture demonstration farms taking shape in Busia County, equipping youth with modern agricultural skills.
Our commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience remained strong. We propagated over 380,000 seedlings, 15% of which were fruit trees, contributing to catchment conservation and
improved community nutrition.
Flood mitigation efforts
Flood mitigation efforts continued through the construction of dykes in Nyando, Kisumu County, reducing vulnerability for communities and protecting farmlands and critical infrastructure.
We also improved access to clean water by drilling and equipping 14 boreholes across institutions and communities within our region, directly contributing to public health and resilience.
Stakeholder engagement and media relations were strengthened throughout the year, enhancing transparency, visibility, and public confidence in the Authority’s work.
Performance contracting
We successfully underwent the 2024/2025 Performance Contract evaluation, with our results once again ranking consistently very good, an affirmation of our institutional discipline and commitment to delivering value.
2026 priorities and projects
Looking ahead to 2026, our focus is to consolidate the gains achieved and accelerate high-impact programmes for even greater community benefit. We intend to complete and operationalise the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme and commence development of the South West Kano Irrigation Project in Kisumu, targeting 4,000 acres under irrigation.
We also plan to scale up poultry value-chain development by promoting modern layer-farming technologies and building the capacity of community farmers to increase productivity and household incomes. Strengthening community outreach will remain central as we deepen engagement with beneficiaries and partners. Guided by our sustainability strategy, we aim to steer LBDA towards full financial self-reliance within the next two years through enhanced commercial ventures, efficient internal systems, and expanded value-chain opportunities.
While the year registered strong progress, we acknowledge the challenges that persisted, including resource limitations, climate-related disruptions, ageing infrastructure, and occasional delays in project implementation. These challenges tested our adaptability but also strengthened our resolve and informed the strategies we will carry into 2026.
I extend my sincere appreciation to our staff for their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering support, and to the Board of Directors for their strategic leadership and guidance.
As we move forward, we remain guided by the principle that resilience, clarity of vision, and unwavering focus are the bedrock of sustainable transformation. With continued collaboration and commitment, LBDA is well positioned to deliver even greater impact for our communities and for the nation.
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2026
The writer is Managing Director, Lake Basin Development Authority.
