The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has issued a maritime warning along the coastline regarding high sea waves that may pose serious navigation dangers.
KMA has previously issued warnings for strong winds, high waves, and rough sea conditions affecting the coastal region during rainy and stormy seasons.
The Authority was established with the mandate to regulate, coordinate and oversee activities in the maritime industry for maximum socio-economic benefits in line with national standards and international conventions.
In its latest adverse weather warning, the Authority has issued adverse weather and maritime alerts for strong winds, rough seas, high waves, heavy rainfall and reduced visibility.
KMA Director General (DG) Omae Nyarandi said the adverse weather conditions pose a risk to vessels and persons undertaking activities at sea and along the coastline.
Nyarandi called on the coastal communities of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu to remain alert to strong winds, high waves, heavy rainfall and follow instructions from relevant authorities.
The KMA DG has assured the public of continuous monitoring and timely updates as the situation evolves.
He said KMA strongly urges vessel operators and coastal communities to remain alert as the combination of strong waves and wind gusts significantly increases the risk to maritime safety.
KMA says boat owners and operators should secure their vessels properly while underway, moored or at anchor, while all passengers and crew should wear life jackets while on board vessels.
DG Nyarandi said the public should continuously monitor official weather and marine safety information from the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA), KMA and other relevant agencies and to report maritime incidents and emergencies to the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC) using 0737719414 0r 0721368313.
The RMRCC is based in Mombasa, situated within the Port of Mombasa facility and operated by the KMA and coordinates life-saving responses across the country’s maritime zones and inland waterways.
Nyarandi says the RMRCC coordinates maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) emergencies while watch keepers in the center monitor distress frequencies, relay distress messages, acknowledge distress calls and assist in SAR mission coordination.
KMA is advising the public to avoid venturing into the sea during periods of adverse weather and rough sea conditions.
The KMA DG called on boat owners and operators to secure their vessels properly and avoid overloading and that all passengers and crew should wear life jackets while on board the vessels.
“Fisherfolk and other marine users should exercise extreme caution and postpone non-essential activities at sea when conditions deteriorate,” he said.
He added, ‘Vessels already at sea should monitor weather updates and proceed to safe shelter where necessary.’
The latest KMA warning comes as the KMSA warns of heavy rain, strong winds in 40 counties, with residents in the affected areas urged to remain vigilant, warning that heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods.
The counties identified as areas of concern include Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit and Isiolo.
Mombasa is among the high-risk urban centres flagged by the government to experience heavy, above-average rainfall and potential flooding from the intensifying 2026 El Niño.
Scientists contend that El Niño, as part of a larger climate cycle is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon characterized by the abnormal warming of the Pacific sea surface temperatures.
The World Meteorological Association warns that the El Niño climate phenomenon could bring droughts, flooding, heat waves and displacement of people around the world later this year.
The international weather agency warned that the anticipated heavy rainfall could have far reaching consequences across many sectors including transportation, agriculture, health and infrastructure.
The Mombasa County government has recently intensified coastal safety measures amid heavy rain forecasts, rough seas and high tides.
The coastal county has deployed lifeguards across different areas of the beach to monitor the situation and prevent any untoward incident.
By Hussein Abdullahi
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