Charting Troubled Waters: Treasury Delays Threaten Kenya’s Maritime Education Future

By Andrew Mwangura

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The storm clouds gathering over our blue economy ambitions.

Kenya stands at a critical juncture in its maritime development aspirations. With a coastline stretching over 600 kilometers and ambitious plans to position itself as a regional maritime hub, the country has invested heavily in maritime education and training infrastructure.

However, a looming crisis threatens to derail these efforts, with consequences that could ripple through the maritime sector for years to come.

The national treasury’s failure to release the Ksh6 billion allocated for national examinations in the 2024-2025 budget represents more than a bureaucratic delay—it constitutes a direct assault on Kenya’s maritime education ambitions and the thousands of students whose futures hang in the balance.

Forgotten Casualty

While much attention has focused on the broader implications of the examination funding crisis, the specific impact on Kenya’s maritime education and training institutions has been largely overlooked. 

This oversight is particularly troubling given the sector’s critical role in supporting Kenya’s blue economy initiatives and regional maritime ambitions.

Maritime training institutions across the country, from the Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) to private maritime academies, rely heavily on KNEC-administered examinations to certify their graduates.

These certifications are not merely academic achievements—they are internationally recognized credentials that determine whether Kenyan seafarers can compete in the global maritime labor market.

The delay in examination funding threatens to create a certification bottleneck that could leave hundreds of maritime graduates in limbo, unable to obtain the credentials necessary to secure employment aboard international vessels or in Kenya’s expanding port operations.

This disruption comes at a particularly inopportune time, as the maritime industry globally faces a shortage of qualified seafarers, presenting unprecedented opportunities for Kenyan maritime professionals.

Ripple Effect on Kenya’s Blue Economy

The implications extend far beyond individual career prospects. Kenya’s Vision 2030 identifies the blue economy as a key pillar for sustainable development, with maritime transport, fisheries, and offshore activities expected to contribute significantly to national GDP growth. 

The success of these initiatives depends fundamentally on having a well-trained, certified maritime workforce.

The examination funding crisis threatens to create a skills gap precisely when Kenya needs maritime expertise most.

Major infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Mombasa Port and the development of Lamu Port, require certified maritime professionals.

Similarly, the growth of Kenya’s fishing industry and emerging opportunities in offshore oil and gas exploration demand workers with internationally recognized qualifications.

When maritime graduates cannot obtain timely certification due to examination delays, the entire blue economy ecosystem suffers. 

Shipping companies may be forced to recruit foreign workers, fisheries operations may struggle to find qualified personnel, and port expansions may face staffing challenges.

The economic multiplier effects of these disruptions could undermine billions of shillings in maritime sector investments.

International Competitiveness at Stake

Kenya’s maritime education sector has worked diligently to align its programs with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and other international requirements.

This alignment has positioned Kenyan maritime graduates as competitive candidates in the global seafaring market, contributing valuable foreign exchange through remittances while gaining international experience.

However, the credibility of Kenya’s maritime education system depends on the reliability and timeliness of its examination and certification processes. 

International employers and flag states that recognize Kenyan maritime certificates expect consistent, professional administration of examinations.

Delays and uncertainties in the examination process could damage Kenya’s reputation as a reliable source of qualified maritime personnel.

The timing of this crisis is particularly damaging, as several maritime training institutions were preparing to launch new programs designed to meet emerging industry demands.

These initiatives, developed in partnership with international maritime organizations, risk being derailed by examination system uncertainties.

Systemic Consequences

The current crisis reveals deeper systemic issues in how Kenya prioritizes and manages its human capital development initiatives. Maritime education requires significant investment in specialized equipment, simulation facilities, and expert instructors.

When the examination system that validates this investment becomes unreliable, it undermines confidence in the entire maritime education framework.

Training institutions face difficult decisions about whether to continue enrolling students in programs where certification outcomes are uncertain.

Some may be forced to reduce enrollment or postpone new program launches, creating a pipeline problem that could affect maritime workforce availability for years to come.

The uncertainty also affects students’ financial planning and career decisions. Maritime education requires substantial investment from students and their families, often involving significant debt.

When examination delays threaten to postpone graduation and certification, students face extended financial burdens and delayed entry into the workforce.

Urgent Action Required

The National Treasury must treat the examination funding crisis as the national emergency it has become. The Ksh6 billion allocation is not discretionary spending—it is essential infrastructure for Kenya’s human capital development.

Delaying its release represents a false economy that will cost the country far more in lost opportunities and damaged credibility.

Specifically regarding maritime education, the government should consider establishing dedicated examination funding mechanisms for critical sectors like maritime training, where international standards and timelines are non-negotiable.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure should work with the Ministry of Education to ensure that maritime education requirements receive priority attention in examination planning and resource allocation.

Furthermore, Kenya needs to strengthen coordination between maritime industry stakeholders and education authorities to ensure that examination schedules align with industry needs and international requirements.

This includes establishing clear communication channels between KNEC, maritime training institutions, and industry employers.

Navigating Toward Solutions

Kenya’s maritime education sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth over the past decade, producing graduates who compete successfully in global markets while contributing to domestic maritime development. 

However, this progress is now threatened by systemic failures in examination funding and administration.

The current crisis demands immediate action from the National Treasury and broader government commitment to supporting maritime education as a strategic national priority.

The blue economy cannot flourish without a reliable pipeline of certified maritime professionals, and that pipeline depends fundamentally on a functioning examination system.

As Kenya charts its course toward becoming a regional maritime hub, it cannot afford to let bureaucratic delays and funding uncertainties shipwreck the dreams of maritime students and the broader aspirations of the blue economy. 

The time for action is now—before the damage becomes irreversible and Kenya’s maritime education sector finds itself navigating permanently troubled waters.

The Ksh6 billion examination allocation is not just about funding tests—it is about funding Kenya’s maritime future. The Treasury’s continued delays represent a clear and present danger to that future, demanding immediate resolution before the opportunity to chart a successful course is lost forever.

The writer is a Maritime Affairs Analyst and Maritime Policy Advocate.