KENYA’S CANDIDATURE FOR RE-ELECTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION COUNCIL UNDER CATEGORY ‘C’ 2026-2027

Kenya is seeking re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category ‘C’ for the biennium 2026-2027 at the elections to be held during the 34^th Regular Session of IMO Assembly from 24^th November – 3^rd December 2025 in London, United Kingdom.

KENYA AS A MARITIME NATION

Strategic Geographical Location

Kenya’s strategic location along the East African coast and the major maritime trading routes connects Africa to Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The Ports of Mombasa and Lamu are located among the world's busiest international shipping lanes and critical gateways for trade in the land-linked countries of East and Central Africa.

Kenya’s ports have the capacity to handle an estimated 30,000 TEUs, with depths ranging between 12 and 30 meters, allowing it to accommodate vessels with deadweight tonnage (DWT) ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 metric tonnes. This comparative advantage positions the country as a key regional maritime hub.

Commitment to Maritime Safety and Security

Kenya has established the Kenya Coast Guard Service as a dedicated maritime security agency. The country has also developed the National Maritime Security Strategy (NMSS) which inter alia outlines Kenya’s approach to addressing unlawful acts such as piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling and transnational crimes that threaten maritime safety and security.

As part of our commitment to regional maritime security, Kenya is a member of the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the UN Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, where the country served as chair from 2023-2025. The country also participated in multinational naval operations, such as the European Union's ‘Operation Atalanta’ and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). Kenya has demonstrated its commitment to upholding international maritime law by prosecuting numerous suspected pirates through its admiralty courts.

Kenya is a member of the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (IOMOU) and seeks to identify and deter substandard ships from the region. In 2024, we inspected more than a hundred ships calling in our ports. The future of shipping necessitates modernization, innovation, and integration of smart port technologies by making progress towards installing new terminal operating systems.

Engagement in IMO Activities

Kenya has ratified thirty-four IMO Conventions and committed to aligning its domestic policies with international maritime regulations. Kenya has demonstrated leadership by hosting IMO regional workshops and training programs. To further support IMO activities Kenya hosts the IMO Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa; the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC); the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC). In addition, plans are underway to operationalize the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) secretariat in Kenya.

Kenya is a great proponent of the operationalization of the African Union's Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS 2050), in addition to supporting capacity-building programs for neighbouring land linked countries and access to global trade. The country currently serves as Second Vice-Chair of the 1992 International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPC) Assembly.

Women in the Maritime Sector 

In support of the IMO program for the integration of women in the maritime sector and the SDG 5, the Government of Kenya prioritizes on gender parity, and has extended capacity building and women empowerment through the appointment of Kenyan women to high-ranking positions in the maritime sector.

Environmental Stewardship

Kenya strongly advocates for sustainable maritime practices, including reducing Green House Gas Emissions (GHG) from ships and protecting marine ecosystems. As a signatory to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Kenya continues to demonstrate its dedication to environmental protection in the maritime sector by taking practical remedies such as the production of green energy, afforestation and re-afforestation programs. To implement IMO GreenVoyage2050, Kenya has developed a draft National Action Plan (NAP) to pilot low/zero emission fuel projects as well as the national resource mobilization strategy.

Kenya has hosted high level global conferences including the Africa Green Shipping Conference (February 2025), the 12^th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (September 2024), the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (September 2023). Kenya will host the Our Oceans Conference in 2026, the first ever to be held in Africa. All these affirm Kenya’s dedication to environmental stewardship.

Maritime Education and Training

Kenya continues to strengthen the capacity of its maritime training institutions to advance maritime education and training that conforms with international standards. We are on the IMO White List of countries implementing the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for Seafarers, (STCW 1978), as amended. Kenya contributes to the reduction of the global shortage of seafarers and is committed to seafarers training and welfare. Kenya designated seafarers as key workers which is in alignment with the 2025 joint ILO-IMO amendment to Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

The country aims to strengthen its maritime sector through partnerships and collaborations with other IMO member states.

Kenya’s Re-Election to the IMO Council

Kenya’s firm commitment in support of IMO’s objectives, and history of leadership at the Organization and within the region, makes the country well positioned to enhance the IMO mandate in cooperation and partnerships with other Member States. Kenya re-election to the Council under Category ‘C’ will be significantly bolster these efforts by providing a platform to contribute actively to maritime policy developments in advancing sustainable and innovative maritime solutions.