Kenya Planning National Maritime Security Strategy

Kenya is working to create a National Maritime Security Strategy aiming to bring opportunities for social-economic growth, by safeguarding and promoting the blue economy and by providing a safe and secure operating environment for international maritime transportation.

The roadmap to develop the strategy was agreed following an inaugural virtual meeting (21 July) organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and attended by 16 participants, representing maritime stakeholders from all relevant ministries and agencies of Kenya. Representatives discussed the best way forward in developing the strategy and establishing a National Maritime Security Committee, with the technical assistance of IMO.

The meeting was opened by Nancy Karigithu, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, who highlighted the key opportunities that a National Maritime Security Strategy could provide for Kenya.

Participants agreed on the need for a holistic approach, noting that the response to national maritime security threats must be multi-faceted.

The establishment of a national strategy is in line with Kenya’s obligations under article three of the Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct. It is also in line with Chapter XI-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS) and other IMO instruments.