Kenya Lays Groundwork for Response to Marine Pollution
Oil spill in the ocean. (Photo/ Courtesy)
By Victoria Tuva
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has laid the groundwork for the National Marine Pollution Response exercise set for July 7th, 2025.
The Authority in partnership with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), held a two-day stakeholder workshop to assess Kenya’s readiness to tackle oil spills and other marine pollution incidents.
“This planning session will ensure that when emergencies happen at sea, our response is swift, coordinated, and effective,” said KMA’s Director, Maritime Safety, Eng. Julius Koech representing KMA’s Ag. Director General Isaiah Nakoru at the opening of the workshop.
The Marine Spills Pollution Response Exercise, also known as MASEPOLREX25, will test the country’s National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and evaluate the capacity of local agencies to respond to real-time incidents.
It will also serve as a platform to activate and review the draft Regional Contingency Plan, which supports joint responses across borders.
The initiative is being held under international and regional legal frameworks, including the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC 1990), the Nairobi Convention Protocol, and the Western Indian Ocean Regional Contingency Plan.
By bringing together stakeholders from government, industry, and international organizations, the workshop intends to identify operational gaps, align resources, and promote shared responsibility in protecting marine ecosystems.
“This is more than just a drill. It’s about building trust, clarity, and capability among the people and systems that will respond when it matters most,” said KMA Assistant Director Marine Environment Protection, Michael Mbaru,
The upcoming field exercise in July will involve live simulations, deployment of pollution control equipment, and coordination between agencies at sea and onshore.
Kenya sees this as a key step in not only safeguarding its own coastline, but also contributing to stronger regional resilience in the face of growing environmental risks in the maritime sector.
