The celebration of World Maritime Day marked a significant milestone for Mount Kenya University (MKU) as it ventured into the maritime sector, signaling a new era in the country’s blue economy. While often overlooked by the general public, the blue economy plays a critical role in global and regional economic growth.
During the event, Kenya’s leading maritime legal expert and advisor, Amb. Nancy Karigithu, highlighted the immense opportunities within the maritime space, urging Kenyans to invest in the sector.
Karigithu further noted that the future of maritime is increasingly digital, with automation transforming how the industry operates.
‘’Events Globally point to Africa to be able to play an important role. The demographic dividends for Kenya, please bring the money into this space train the people set up, even if it is cottage industries in this sector that can contribute to the blue economy.’’
‘’When we talk of the personnel, that’s one of the most critical, the people you know who will be expected to work on wood chips, their fleet, the global fleet, even as we are going into automation because navigating the future will see ships that are like we are getting the shelf life, you know, but that’s still a long way off, but we’ll still for people. ‘’said Karigithu.
Reflecting on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Karigithu explained how it exposed vulnerabilities in the maritime sector, leading to a temporary collapse.
‘‘Covid-19 exposed Chili’s Hill to the maritime center economy and maritime collapsed there but before we had no notice or we didn’t pay attention too well, we have a crew that qualified where they come from, it’s a big issue but now COVID-19 shuts almost half the world and therefore movement is restricted as a maritime nation.’’ Added Karigithu.
The shipping industry’s role in climate change. Karigithu stressed the importance of decarbonizing the maritime sector.
‘’The shipping industry has come under focus because it also plays a big role in contributing to climate change. And therefore the de-carbonization of the shipping industry, or the maritime industry, has come under focus. So sustainability, exploitation becomes very critical and therefore very important for us.’’ She added.
With cyber threats on the rise, Karigithu highlighted the importance of securing maritime systems in an increasingly digital world. She recounted a recent cyberattack on a major shipping company, which left thousands of ships stranded.
‘’The oceans are vast and our waters are vast, and since now, the focus is on this thing that a lot of people had ignored for years and years then there’s a sense in which we feel like we’re playing catch up’’ Karigithu cautioned.
Karigithu paused, ‘’So then a question comes. It does look like quite a lot of investment is needed to not just get up to speed but to do it properly. You’re talking about cleaner fuels and cleaner shipping, you know, more conscientious shipping, when a lot of us, a lot of countries, is still transitioning from just wind-driven shipping, with the doors and everything and the limitations that come with that, to motorized shipping, with the marine engines and so on.’’
Despite the challenges, Karigithu remained optimistic about Kenya’s maritime future. She underscored the need for the country to keep pace with global advancements, particularly in transitioning to cleaner energy and modernizing its fleet.
‘’The world has to move together, because climate has no boundaries, and you cannot have one part of the world that is ready, but the other part is not ready. ‘’
Karigithu also called for a unified global effort to address climate change, noting that maritime emissions know no borders.
‘’For example, we have to put the structures all of us together. The current fleet is on different technology, fossil fuel. But now we need to change either by way of, what is it retrofitting, right? Building new ones, using more for example, making the pots ready, because it would help to have a modern ship, using modern fuel systems and propulsion systems and the infrastructure, and then comes to a port that doesn’t have a corresponding infrastructure to either serve it, for example, if It is shore power ready because that’s one of the solutions that has been identified.’’
The legal expert urged the government, ‘’Instead of the ships coming and burning fossil fuel or fuel while they are idling, or whether doing operations because ships never engines must always be on, then they are connected to a shore power kind of like how airplanes are connected to power source inside the airport.’’
Nancy revealed that ‘’First of all, last July, the IMO, sitting in the Marine Environmental Protection Committee, came up with a standard strategy by 2050, net zero, and stages in between, what we all have to prepare. But then you begin to see that, yes, we need to do a lot. We may not have the finances, but when you think about the developing the developed world, and the imbalance in resources, that one of the principles is we must have a just and equitable transition because these are major transitions, we can’t leave anybody behind.’’
Drawing attention to the economic imbalance between developed and developing nations, Karigithu pointed out that Africa has contributed little to the maritime crisis but stands to suffer the most.
‘’Africa has contributed very little to this crisis that we are in Africa. How do you place the ball? Balance in terms of equitable transition, then you also find that of the funding that we need, we also get into a disadvantage, because we are the ones who are caught in this international financing institutions balance.’’ Karigithu reveals.
In line with this vision, Mount Kenya University has established a maritime academy in Malindi, the first privately funded institution of its kind in Kenya. The academy aims to equip local youth with the skills needed to thrive in the maritime industry, aligning with the region’s rich maritime heritage and offering new career opportunities.
The academy stands out as the first non-government-sponsored maritime institution in Kenya, dedicated to equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in the maritime industry.
According to MKU, the location serves to revive the community by providing local youth with training opportunities that align with the region’s rich maritime heritage, thus combating unemployment and offering new career paths.
The academy stands out as the first non-government-sponsored maritime institution in Kenya, dedicated to equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in the maritime industry.
MKU Maritime Academy is the first privately funded maritime training institution in Kenya. Unlike existing government-sponsored academies, this one opens new doors for students seeking alternatives outside public institutions.
“It fills a crucial gap by providing access to maritime training, which has historically been limited to a few government-backed institutions. This shift allows for increased enrollment, innovation, and an expanded curriculum catered to global maritime demands,” MKU stated
“Located in Malindi, a coastal town with deep historical and economic ties to the Indian Ocean, MKU’s decision to establish the academy here taps into the natural advantages of the location. Malindi is well-positioned for maritime training due to its proximity to key shipping lanes, marine resources, and a thriving tourism industry.”
As Kenya continues to position itself as a key player in the global maritime industry, investments in education, technology, and infrastructure will be critical to driving sustainable growth and ensuring that the country remains competitive in the evolving blue economy.
