Kenyans have barely scratched the surface in
exploiting the maritime and blue economy sector despite the immense
opportunities it offers and could be a low hanging fruit for the country in its
bid to create employment and grow the economy.
This was echoed by different leaders during the
launch of Mount Kenya University’s Malindi Maritime Academy.
The sector currently generates about Sh178 billion
annually, contributing about 2.5 per cent to Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product
(GDP).
The government, however, says that the sector has
potential to generate revenue upwards of Sh500 billion each year if fully
exploited.
“This is the future. We have been land-centric
countries for many years. We have talked about agriculture but it is now
emerging that countries that have invested in the blue economy are among the
wealthiest in the world. Most of the wealthiest nations are coastal countries.
If you look at most affluent cities around the world, they are all found along
the Coast,” said Geoffrey Kaituko, Principal Secretary, State Department of
Shipping and Maritime Affairs.
“We need to tap into that. People think this sector
is small, but once we begin to exploit it, we will see its potential. It is a
huge sector with potential to create jobs and improve incomes for our people.”
The PS added that the government is making
investments to improve capacity in the sector, including strengthening safety,
enabling more young Kenyans to study maritime studies through sponsorships and
advancing student loans through the Higher Education Loans Board as well as
linking graduates with opportunities locally and abroad.
“We are strengthening safety. The Kenya Maritime Authority
will establish a maritime information centre in Mombasa that will coordinate
safety issues and it will be a multi-agency centre and act like a national
command centre on maritime safety matters,” he said.
He added that the government would start advancing
student loans to students keen on pursuing maritime studies.
The PS said KMA would be setting aside funds from
money collected through Merchant Shipping Levy, a fee charged on all goods
imported to Kenya by sea.
Kaituko said the loans would be administered by the
Higher Education Loans Board (Helb).
“KMA is going to be using some of the funds
collected through the Merchant Levy to support students pursuing maritime
studies. We have a plan to work with Helb. We have a scheme that has been
supporting students, it has faced challenges but we are trying to sort them
out,” he said.
Nancy Karigithu, Special Adviser on Blue Economy in
the Office of the President, noted that maritime and blue economy sectors have
potential to have a significant impact on Kenya’s economy but remain largely
untapped.
“Kenya is just nibbling at the shipping, fishing,
mining, tourism and sports opportunities offered by its seas, lakes and ocean
access, equivalent to more than 31 extra counties in surface area,” she said.
“The Indian Ocean waters bodies stretch from the
shore line (as per international conventions) and could mean an area equivalent
to 31 more counties. We are ignoring a big chunk of our resources,” she added.
There is a growing demand for maritime professionals
globally, but Kenyans have in the past been bypassed owing to lack of proper
training institutions.
Many Kenyans have had to pursue maritime studies in
other countries, a costly exercise.
The MKU Academy, which has received accreditation to
offer Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch keeping (STCW) courses,
is expected to ease some of the training challenges that aspiring seafarers
have faced.
Data from the International Chamber of Shipping,
which show that the world is currently facing a deficit of around 26,000
officers, a gap that is projected to grow.
“If you can put in the effort in maritime studies,
there are opportunities to grow in this career,” Peter Munga, the director of
maritime education and training at KMA, said.
He added that the Authority is working with
different institutions to increase the number of courses offered locally to
include bachelor's degrees in such areas as nautical science, marine
engineering and maritime transport logistics.
Munga also noted that due to factors such as climate
change, the industry has been adopting new modalities of operations, including
adopting alternative fuels.
“There are global changes. Ships are moving to
decarbonisation and using alternative fuels. We are making sure that the curricula,
of course, is moving with trends in the maritime industry. We want to make sure
that our training is aligned to these new realities and students are equipped
to run these kinds of ships,” Munga, who has also been a seafarer with over 14
years experience at sea, explained.
“There are still gaps in maritime training. When you
look at offshore training facilities, it is an area that has not been exploited
locally. There are a lot of opportunities to work in oil rigs. If we can set up
such facilities, we will be recognised as a global workforce.
“When you look at our training, we have done a lot
to boost training in hospitality and provide staff and crew to work in cruise
ships but we also need to build the capacity for technical people,” Munga said.
Amina Mnyazi, Malindi Member of Parliament, welcomed
the launch of the MKU Maritime Academy in Malindi, which she noted would pave
the way for enhanced maritime education in the region.
The new academy is strategically positioned in
Malindi, a town with deep-rooted maritime heritage, and is expected to lift the
country’s capacity to train seafarers, which has in the past suffered due to
limited facilities.
Other than seafaring courses, it also offers
languages such as German and Korean, which are among the countries that are
successful in maritime economy.
MKU Vice Chancellor, Prof Deogratius Jaganyi said: “By
offering internationally recognised certifications, the academy will enable
regional seafarers to meet the rigorous global standards required for serving
on various types of vessels.”
He explained further: “Whether it’s deck officers
seeking to enhance their qualifications, engineers working on specialised
vessels, or security officers responsible for ship safety, the academy’s offerings
are comprehensive and industry-aligned.”
The VC added that the academy would ease training of
seafarers locally.
For decades, Kenyan seafarers seeking advanced STCW
certification had to travel abroad to countries with well-established maritime
academies like South Africa, India, or the Philippines.
This requirement presented significant challenges,
including high travel costs, extended periods away from home, and the
logistical hurdles of obtaining international visas and accommodation.
“The courses offered at the academy form the
foundation of the global maritime training, ensuring that seafarers meet the
highest standards of safety, competence and professionalism. Thus, through the
Malindi Maritime Academy, MKU will provide training that meets international
maritime standards, opening doors for our students to pursue successful careers
in the maritime industry worldwide,” said Prof Jaganyi.
Among the facilities at the institution include a
simulator, a first for a civilian training institution in East Africa.
“The unique piece of equipment brings the sea into
the classroom. It covers a broad spectrum of maritime scenarios, ensuring that
trainees receive hands-on training. Students get to virtually view sea and port
environments even before they step into the water for their next phase of
training,” he said.