Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation on maritime security and safety of navigation.

Consequently, an international delegation undertaking a country mission on the development of a regional policy on port security and safety of navigation has commenced consultations in the country.

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 Monday at the onset of the mission.

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.

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

The PS said Kenya recognised that maritime security and safety of navigation were shared regional responsibilities requiring stronger coordination, information exchange, and the development of 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 noted that Kenya’s ports and maritime corridors play a significant role in regional and international trade, making port security, safe navigation, and effective maritime information management, which are important components of the country’s economic and national security framework.

The PS further said the consultations would provide an opportunity for Kenya to present its existing legal, institutional, technical, and human-resource capacities while also identifying areas where regional collaboration could deliver greater impact.

He emphasized the importance of a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, noting that effective maritime security requires close collaboration between port authorities, maritime regulators, security agencies, customs, environmental agencies, and other stakeholders.

The five-day mission, running from September 28 to October 2, 2026, will take place in Nairobi and Mombasa. It is aimed at assessing and incorporating Kenya’s legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional arrangements, human-resource capacities, and technical capabilities in port security and safety of navigation into the development of the proposed regional policy.

The team will engage a range of 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, among other government agencies.

The consultations will enable the delegation to gather views from national institutions, assess existing capacities, and identify opportunities for strengthening coordination, information sharing, maritime data management, and safety of navigation.

The development of the regional policy is being undertaken 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 at a time when regional countries are seeking to strengthen maritime security cooperation in response to interconnected challenges affecting ports and shipping corridors.

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

The mission will culminate in a National Consultation Workshop in Mombasa on October 2, 2026, bringing together relevant stakeholders to review and validate preliminary findings from the country assessment.

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

For Kenya, the consultations provide an opportunity to ensure that national experiences and priorities are reflected in a regional framework that supports secure ports, efficient shipping, and safe navigation, while strengthening cooperation among countries sharing the Western Indian Ocean maritime space.

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

The PS said the government would continue supporting initiatives that strengthen institutional capacity, enhance sharing of maritime information, and promote regional cooperation, adding that a stronger maritime security architecture would contribute to the growth of shipping, trade, and the wider blue economy.

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

Recent regional consultations have brought together beneficiary countries and implementing partners to strengthen port security, operational coordination, and maritime information sharing.

By Fahid Mohamed and Justus Anzaya (PCO)