Kenya has reached out to the global community for support as it seeks election to Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026-2027 biennium set for December this year.

The benefits to a country elected to Category C of the IMO Council include ensuring the country’s voice is heard during the formulation of rules that affect its maritime industry and allows for improved participation in advancing global maritime safety, sustainability and environmental protection.

These are key ingredients in promoting national maritime interests like seafarer welfare and ship registries which are essential in job creation in the maritime space.

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho has affirmed that Kenya’s candidacy represents an opportunity to contribute significantly to global maritime governance by amplifying the voice of Africa, the Indian Ocean region and the Global South.

“Kenya’s candidature for the IMO Council is anchored on four key pillars that align with IMO’s mission of enhancing maritime safety and security, environmental stewardship, capacity building for developing states and blue economy advancement,” Joho stated.

Joho was speaking on Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi during a meeting with members of the diplomatic corps, where he officially launched Kenya’s candidacy for the election to the IMO Council. The event was attended by ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to Kenya from 21 countries.

He pointed out that Kenya is advantaged due to its maritime heritage, which is supported by its strategic location along the Indian Ocean trade routes, making it a gateway to Eastern and Central Africa.

“The Port of Mombasa is one of Africa’s busiest ports, serving several land-locked countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he explained.

 The cabinet secretary emphasised that Kenya has been a proactive and reliable member of the IMO for decades, citing the leadership roles it has played of chairing committees and hosting high-level events while addressing emerging maritime threats like piracy, cyber risks and climate change.

“If elected to the Council, Kenya will focus on advocating for representation of developing maritime states, promote maritime digitisation to enhance efficiency and safety, as well as support equitable energy transitions in shipping,” he assured.

The cabinet secretary told the high-level delegation that, if they give Kenya the seat, their action will have endorsed a partner committed to multilateralism and consensus building and a maritime nation that bridges the interest of coastal Islands and land locked states.

He observed that, if Kenya is elected, it will not only serve its interests but also ensure that there is a voice from the Indian Ocean region that understands the balance between maritime trade facilitation and environmental responsibility in all the maritime nations.

Joho furthermore, noted that the endorsement by the partners will not only strengthen Kenya’s position but also reaffirm their shared commitment to safe, secure and sustainable shipping.

Kenyan has made significant investments in maritime infrastructure by modernising the Port of Mombasa and expanding Lamu Port under the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridorr, it has developed Special Economic Zones to attract ship repair, shipbuilding and blue economy enterprises.

It has also strengthened its maritime training institutions that include the Bandari Maritime Academy, to meet IMO’s standards and to produce world class seafarers.

The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretaries Aden Millah (Shipping and Maritime Affairs), Betsy Njagi (Fisheries and Blue Economy) and Harry Kimtai (Mining) as well as Foreign Affairs’ Political and Diplomatic Affairs Director General Josphat Maikara, among other senior government officials.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Bernadette Khaduli