Breaking Waves: Captain Elizabeth Wakesho Marami Charts a New Course for Kenyan Women at Sea
Captain Elizabeth Wakesho Marami (Photo/ Courtesy)
By Andrew Mwangura
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
In the storied maritime history of Kenya, a new chapter has been written.
Captain Elizabeth Wakesho Marami, hailing from the verdant Taita Hills in the southeastern part of the country has become Kenya’s first female marine captain after earning her unlimited master Mariners license in the United Kingdom.
Her achievement not only marks a personal triumph, but signals a sea change in a profession long dominated by men.
Captain Marami’s journey reflects both individual determination and the gradual transformation of Kenya’s maritime sector.
Like the sturdy vessels she commands, she has navigated through challenging waters to reach this milestone.
The maritime industry worldwide has historically been reluctant to welcome women into its ranks, with superstitions and stereotypes creating powerful headwinds against female participation.
What makes Marami’s accomplishment particularly noteworthy is its connection to a proud legacy of female pioneers from her homeland.
She follows in the distinguished footsteps of Miss Agatha Mawondo, who also hailed from the Taita Hills and made history in 1956 as the first Kenyan African woman to earn a university degree.
These women, separated by decades, but united in purpose, demonstrate the enduring spirit of excellence that has emerged from this region.
Captain Marami’s achievement does not stand in isolation. Currently, seven other Kenyan marine deck officers are pursuing further studies in the United Kingdom, suggesting that her breakthrough has helped create a slipstream for others to follow.
This represents not just individual advancement but a broader awakening to the untapped potential of Kenyan women in maritime professions.
For a nation with over 500 kilometers of coastline along the Indian Ocean, Kenya’s maritime capabilities are inseparable from its economic and strategic interests.
Captain Marami’s expertise will contribute valuable skills to the country’s shipping industry and serve as visible proof that the wheelhouse of a ship is not the exclusive domain of men.
As Kenya continues its journey toward gender equality across all sectors, Captain Marami’s story offers something more valuable than symbolism alone—it provides a tangible example of excellence achieved through persistence and skill.
Young women across Kenya and beyond can now envision themselves commanding vessels across international waters, their horizons literally expanded by her example.
In honouring Captain Marami’s achievement, we recognize not just the breaking of one barrier, but the beginning of a new maritime tradition—one where talent and dedication, rather than gender, determine who stands at the helm.
The writer is a Veteran Merchant Mariner.
