We are all celebrating the launch but what is this new force created by the government of Kenya?
The Kenya Coast Guard Service are a specialized maritime force of the Republic of Kenya, responsible for enforcing the laws of Kenya on the national waters, including on the oceans, lakes and rivers. The force is mandated to maintain maritime safety, security, pollution control and sanitation.
President Kenyatta is expected to launch the #KenyaCoastGuard at Liwatoni Fisheries Complex in Mombasa. @kevinmutai_ has more details on this event. #NTVToday pic.twitter.com/fL3naH27Nr
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) November 19, 2018
President Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to unveil the Service unit in Mombasa where he will also commission MV Doria, the vessel that will be used by the Service to patrol the country’s territory along the Indian Ocean.
Brigadier Vincent Naisho Loonena was already appointed as the first ever Director General of the Kenya Coast Guard Service though he will do it on an acting capacity.
Interior CS @FredMatiangi and PS @Karanjakibicho at Liwatoni fisheries complex overseeing preparations for tomorrow's launch event of the Kenya Coast Guard Service by H.E. President @UKenyatta #KenyaCoastGuard pic.twitter.com/xADrFfBgJ2
— Pauline Njoroge, HSC (@paulinenjoroge) November 18, 2018
Kenya Coast Guard Service will be responsible for among other things, protecting the country’s waters against dumping of harmful wastes and pollutants, search and rescue services, and the arrest of illegal fishermen.
This follows estimatin that the country loses at least a lot of revenue annually due to illegal and criminal activities at sea, and the Coast Guard Service is expected to keep the seashores safe from aggression and illegal commercial activities.
The launch of the #KenyaCoastGuard Service comes a few days ahead of the #BlueEconomyKe, to be held in Nairobi, Kenya courtesy of Kenya, Canada and Japan. The conference will address among other things; maritime Security, safety and regulatory enforcement.
— Pauline Njoroge, HSC (@paulinenjoroge) November 19, 2018
The Kenya Coast Guard Service was established by The Coast Guard Service Act 2018, and was operationalized on 22nd October 2018 when interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, gazetted the law