Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs CS Salim Mvurya led a high-powered delegation to launch Ambassador Nancy Karigithu’s bid for the secretary general position at International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
A team of government officials and representatives of the African Union accompanied Mvurya for the launch of Karigithu’s candidature at IMO headquarters in London, UK on Friday.
Kenya secured the endorsement of the African Union for her candidature during the High-Level Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, in mid-July, 2022.
Mvurya said Kenya presents the candidature of Karigithu to continue with “the good work that the outgoing secretary general Kitack Lim has been doing and to build better on his successes to address challenges and opportunities in the industry.”
The CS expressed hope that the IMO Council will elect Karigithu as the next IMO Secretary General, the first female to occupy the position.
“I wish to assure you that Kenya is presenting a good candidate with the right skills and ability to steer IMO and make it a United Nations Organisation that we are all proud of,” he told a meeting attended by high commissioners, ambassadors and stakeholders in the sector.
The event was attended by more than 100 delegates from different countries.
Mvurya pointed out that 2023 is an important year for Kenya as it marks 50 years since the country joined IMO.
“It, therefore, provides an opportunity for the IMO and Kenya to reflect on our journey in the last 50 years and to look to the future with hope and determination,” he stated.
On May 6, 2023, President William Ruto rooted for the election of Karigithu saying, “She is a highly competent and qualified candidate who has immensely contributed to maritime issues.”
Ruto added that Karigithu has built consensus on many complex issues which has enabled common action in favour of the shared objectives of the IMO membership.
Karigithu is a world-renowned maritime expert who has been an active leader and a consequential voice in promoting the objectives of the IMO dedicated to safety, security and environmental protection in the maritime industry.
The 40 members of the IMO Council will pick the successor of Kitack Lim of Korea, whose tenure comes to an end in July this year.
The election will take place at IMO HQ in London on July 18, 2023.
The decision of the council will be submitted to the 33rd session of the assembly of IMO in late 2023 for approval.