Forgotten Maritime Heroes of East Africa: Time to Honour Their Legacies
H. E Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume(Photo/ Courtesy)
By Andrew Mwangura
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
In the grand narrative of East Africa’s development, one crucial chapter remains largely unwritten. The extraordinary contributions of our merchant mariners.
These seafarers—brave men who traversed oceans and connected continents—deserve recognition not merely as footnotes in our history books, but as pivotal architects of our regional development and global connections.
Consider Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, born in 1905 in what was then Nyasaland. Before becoming Zanzibar’s first president, Karume spent years as a quartermaster aboard British merchant vessels, navigating treacherous waters and witnessing firsthand the interconnectedness of global trade.
This seafaring experience informed his later vision for East Africa—one where organized labor and regional cooperation would serve as foundations for independence and prosperity.
Karume was not alone. Omar Mzamili, who would later represent Lamu East in Parliament, sailed these same waters before being selected for advanced studies in labor relations in the United States.
Said Ahmed, Abdultif Ubwa, Abulkadir Mwidau, Khelf Khalifa, Hassan Mtele ‘Papa Joe’,Abeid Oshan, and others followed similar paths from sea to governance, bringing unique global perspectives to their political careers.
Their influence extended beyond politics into sports as well, exemplified by figures like Ali Msaada, who worked on offshore supply vessels in the UAE for several years before returning to Mombasa, where he distinguished himself as a goalkeeper for Mombasa Olympic Youth, Kenya National Olympic Youth, Kenya National Team Harambee Stars, Bandari Football Club, KENATCO Football Club, and Feisal Sports Club, eventually retiring as a respected Sports Administrator in Mombasa.
These men understood something fundamental; that East Africa’s destiny was inextricably linked to maritime commerce.
Long before today’s discussions of “blue economies,” they recognized the sea not as a barrier but as our region’s greatest connector and resource. Their maritime expertise helped develop vital ports from Mombasa to Dar es Salaam, from Zanzibar to Durban.
They established crucial trade networks extending to the Persian Gulf, Singapore, and beyond. Even our inland waterways—Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Albert, and Lake Nyasa—benefited from their navigational knowledge.
Yet these achievements came at tremendous personal cost. East African mariners faced piracy, armed robbery at sea, and sometimes abandonment in foreign ports—challenges that remain relevant for seafarers today. Without embassies or consular support, they relied on community networks and mutual aid to survive in distant lands.
The socioeconomic impact of these seafarers extends beyond infrastructure. They facilitated cultural exchange, introduced new agricultural products, and created remittance economies that sustained coastal communities for generations.
Through their union organizing, they established labor rights frameworks that would later influence independence movements across the region.
Perhaps most remarkably, these mariners also offered technical and practical support to civil rights movements in the United States and in South Africa, applying their international experience and solidarity networks to support struggles for equality and justice far beyond East Africa’s shores.
As East African nations now seek to revitalize maritime industries and claim larger shares of Indian Ocean trade, we would be wise to study this rich heritage.
Today’s discussions of regional integration, port modernization, and maritime security would benefit immensely from acknowledging the pioneering work of these merchant mariners.
Educational institutions across our region should incorporate maritime history into their curricula. Museums in coastal cities should establish permanent exhibitions honoring these seafarers.
Most importantly, governments should recognize merchant marine service as a valuable national contribution, with appropriate veterans’ benefits and commemorations.
The story of East African merchant mariners is not merely historical curiosity—it provides a blueprint for regional cooperation and economic development.
Their legacy offers practical lessons in navigating globalization while maintaining distinct cultural identities.
As climate change transforms coastlines and geopolitical tensions reshape trade routes, East Africa stands at another maritime crossroads.
Our response should be informed by the wisdom of those who came before us—men who understood that our greatest strength lies in our connection to the sea and to one another.
The time has come to bring these forgotten maritime heroes from the shadows of history into the spotlight they deserve. Their journeys across distant oceans helped chart the course for today’s East Africa. Let us honor their legacy by ensuring their stories inspire new generations to see beyond horizons.
The author is veteran merchant mariner and a maritime historian specializing in East African nautical heritage and its influence on regional development.
