Kenya hosts regional mission on port security, safety of navigation

Africa, Business

NAIROBI, Kenya (Agency Report) — Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation on maritime security and safety of navigation as an international delegation begins a five-day country mission on the development of a regional policy for port security and safety of navigation.

The delegation undertaking the Regional Policy on Port Security and Safety of Navigation in the Eastern Africa-Southern Africa-Indian Ocean (EA-SA-IO) region paid a courtesy call on the Principal Secretary, State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Aden Abdi Millah, in Nairobi on Monday.

The delegation is led by Dr Michele Stallone, Regional Coordinator of the EU-funded Port Safety Programme (PSP), alongside William Azuh, Marine and Port Operations Expert, and Mourad Ghorbel, Maritime Information Systems Network Expert.

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Welcoming the delegation, Millah said Kenya was pleased to participate in an initiative aimed at strengthening the region’s collective capacity to secure ports, enhance navigation safety and improve cooperation among maritime and security agencies.

He said maritime security and safety of navigation were shared regional responsibilities requiring stronger coordination, information exchange and effective systems and policies.

“Kenya welcomes this mission and the opportunity it provides to share our experiences, identify areas requiring further strengthening, and contribute to the development of a regional policy that responds to the realities and priorities of countries in the EA-SA-IO region,” he said.

Millah said Kenya’s ports and maritime corridors played a significant role in regional and international trade, making port security, safe navigation and effective maritime information management important components of the country’s economic and national security framework.

He said the consultations would enable Kenya to present its existing legal, institutional, technical and human-resource capacities while identifying areas where regional collaboration could have greater impact.

The Principal Secretary also stressed the importance of a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, noting that effective maritime security required close collaboration among port authorities, maritime regulators, security agencies, customs, environmental agencies and other stakeholders.

The mission, which runs from September 28 to October 2, 2026, will take place in Nairobi and Mombasa. It will assess Kenya’s legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional arrangements, human-resource capacities and technical capabilities relating to port security and safety of navigation for consideration in the proposed regional policy.

The delegation will engage key Kenyan maritime, security, customs and environmental institutions, including the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Defence Forces/Kenya Navy, Kenya Coast Guard Service and National Environment Management Authority.

The consultations are expected to provide the delegation with views from national institutions, an assessment of existing capacities and opportunities to strengthen coordination, information sharing, maritime data management and safety of navigation.

The regional policy is being developed under the EU-funded Port Security and Safety of Navigation Programme, coordinated by the Indian Ocean Commission.

The programme seeks to strengthen maritime security and safety of navigation across the EA-SA-IO region through enhanced national capacities, improved port security frameworks and stronger mechanisms for information exchange.

According to the Indian Ocean Commission, the policy development process is expected to support a common regional approach to port security and safety of navigation, including cooperation on maritime information systems and the exchange of cargo and passenger information.

The initiative comes as countries in the region seek to strengthen maritime security cooperation in response to interconnected challenges affecting ports and shipping corridors.

The proposed regional policy is expected to provide a framework for strengthened port security, safer navigation, enhanced inter-agency coordination, regional information sharing and improved maritime data systems.

The mission will culminate in a National Consultation Workshop in Mombasa on October 2, where stakeholders will review and validate preliminary findings from the country assessment.

The workshop will also provide an opportunity to identify national priorities, highlight existing gaps and propose recommendations for consideration in the final regional policy.

Millah said the consultations would help ensure that Kenya’s experiences and priorities were reflected in a regional framework supporting secure ports, efficient shipping and safe navigation while strengthening cooperation among countries sharing the Western Indian Ocean maritime space.

He said Kenya remained committed to working with regional and international partners to promote a secure, safe and well-coordinated maritime environment.

The Principal Secretary added that the government would continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving maritime information sharing and promoting regional cooperation, noting that a stronger maritime security architecture would contribute to shipping, trade and the wider blue economy.

The mission forms part of wider regional efforts to consolidate gains made through the Port Security and Safety of Navigation Programme and establish a sustainable policy framework for future cooperation.

-KNA