Addressing Systematic Exclusion of Kenyan Seafarers from Maritime Governance
Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Maritime Affairs Ali Hassan Joho. (photo/ Courtesy)
By Andrew Mwangura
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Kenya’s maritime sector stands at a critical juncture.
While our seafarers navigate the world’s oceans, contributing billions to the global economy and remitting valuable foreign exchange to our nation, they remain conspicuously absent from the very institutions and decision-making bodies that shape their professional lives and futures.
This systematic exclusion represents not merely an oversight, but a fundamental disconnect between policy formulation and the lived realities of those who power our blue economy.
Paradox of Exclusion
The irony is stark: Kenya’s seafarers, who possess intimate knowledge of international maritime operations, labour conditions, and industry challenges, find themselves relegated to the periphery when critical decisions are made.
At international forums such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) where global maritime policies are crafted, Kenyan seafarers are often absent from national delegations.
This absence is not merely symbolic—it represents a loss of authentic voice in discussions that directly impact their working conditions, safety standards, and career prospects.
Domestically, the situation is equally troubling. The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), tasked with regulating our maritime sector, operates with minimal direct input from practicing seafarers.
Similarly, appointments to crucial advisory positions within the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Blue Economy, and other relevant government bodies, frequently overlook qualified maritime professionals with actual seafaring experience.
Cost of Misrepresentation
This exclusion carries significant consequences that extend beyond individual career prospects. When policy is crafted without the input of those who understand the practical realities of maritime work, the result is often well-intentioned but poorly informed legislation and regulation.
Seafarers understand the nuances of international port operations, the challenges of crew welfare management, and the practical implications of safety regulations in ways that theoretical knowledge cannot capture.
Consider the recent challenges faced by Kenyan seafarers stranded abroad due to company bankruptcies or contractual disputes.
Had seafarer representatives been present in policy-making circles, perhaps more robust protection mechanisms would have been in place.
The disconnect between policy and practice becomes evident when examining how maritime education institutions like Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA), Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, and the Kisumu Railways Training Institute operate with limited input from experienced mariners who could bridge the gap between classroom theory and shipboard reality.
Framework for Reform
Addressing this systemic exclusion requires comprehensive reform across multiple levels of governance and representation.
At the international level, Kenya must ensure that its delegations to ILO and IMO conferences include practicing seafarers or recently active maritime professionals.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should establish a dedicated maritime diplomacy desk, coordinating with the maritime sector to ensure authentic representation in international forums.
Domestically, the governance structure of the KMA requires fundamental reform. The authority’s board and advisory committees should include mandatory seafarer representation, ensuring that regulatory decisions reflect operational realities.
This representation should not be tokenistic but should carry real weight in decision-making processes.
Perhaps most critically, the appointment process for maritime-related government positions must prioritize maritime expertise and seafaring experience.
The current system, which often favours academic credentials over practical experience, undermines the effectiveness of maritime policy implementation.
Regulation 27 of the Public Service Commission, which grants the commission authority over advisor appointments, should be leveraged to ensure maritime expertise in advisory positions.
Building Institutional Capacity
Reform must be accompanied by capacity building initiatives that prepare seafarers for leadership and advocacy roles. Many highly skilled mariners possess deep technical knowledge but may lack experience in policy advocacy or institutional navigation.
Training programs should be developed to enhance these skills while preserving the practical insights that make seafarer input valuable.
Seafarer unions, particularly those affiliated with the Association of Maritime Professionals of Kenya (AMP-K), must be strengthened and recognized as legitimate stakeholders in policy discussions.
Their expertise in representing seafarer interests should be leveraged to improve policy outcomes rather than viewed as an obstacle to bureaucratic efficiency.
Path Forward
The establishment of a Maritime Advisory Council comprising seafarers, industry experts, and union representatives would provide a formal mechanism for ongoing consultation between government and the maritime community.
This council should have direct access to Principal Secretaries, Cabinet Secretaries, and other key decision-makers, ensuring that maritime perspectives inform policy at the highest levels.
Legislative reform is equally crucial. Laws mandating seafarer representation in maritime governance structures would institutionalise inclusion rather than leaving it to the discretion of individual administrators.
Regular audits of government appointments in maritime-related positions would ensure compliance with fair representation principles.
Urgent Action
The exclusion of Kenyan seafarers from maritime governance is not merely an administrative oversight—it is a strategic error that undermines our nation’s maritime potential.
Our blue economy cannot reach its full potential when those who understand the sea are absent from discussions about sea-related policy.
The time for action is now. Stakeholders including seafarer unions, AMP-K, the KMA, Maritime Education and Training (MET) institutions, and relevant ministries must convene to address these systemic issues.
The cost of continued exclusion—measured in missed opportunities, poorly implemented policies, and demoralized maritime workforce—far exceeds the effort required for meaningful reform.
Kenya has the opportunity to lead by example in maritime governance, demonstrating that nations achieve the best outcomes when policy is informed by practice, and when those who work the seas have a voice in shaping their future.
The question is not whether we can afford to include seafarers in maritime governance—it is whether we can afford to continue excluding them.
The maritime sector awaits leadership that recognizes the value of authentic representation.
Our seafarers have navigated the world’s oceans with skill and dedication. It is time we navigated toward inclusive governance with equal commitment.
Andrew Mwangura is a Maritime Affairs Analyst and Maritime Policy Advocate with extensive experience in seafarer welfare and maritime governance issues.
