Kenya Rolls Out New Seafarers’ Identity Document to Unlock Global Jobs

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Kenya moves to open more international job opportunities for its seafarers after unveiling progress on the Kenya Seafarers’ Identity Document project before Parliament.

The Kenya Maritime Authority director general CPA Omae Nyarandi, appeared alongside

mining, blue economy and maritime affairs cabinet secretary Ali Hassan Joho, and shipping and maritime affairs principal secretary Aden Milah, before the Parliamentary Committee on Diaspora and Migrant Workers to give a status update on the project.

The meeting centered on the rollout of a secure, internationally compliant Seafarers’ Identity Document or e-SID, which the Government says will improve the global mobility, identity protection, and professional recognition of Kenyan seafarers.

This document is a passport to the world for the seafarers.

According to KMA the new e-SID has been engineered to meet International Labour Organization Convention No. 185 and ICAO specifications. It will feature machine-readable credentials recognized globally.

CPA Nyarandi told the committee that the authority has already hit key milestones in the project.

“We have enhanced security at the production facility at Bahari Towers, successfully tested the card personalization equipment, and are now in the final stages of preparing for Public Key Infrastructure integration with the Communications Authority of Kenya,” he said.

“This document is a passport to the world for our seafarers. Once fully rolled out, it will ensure Kenyan seafarers are not left behind in the global maritime labor market and that their credentials are trusted anywhere they go.”

CS Joho and PS Milah told the legislators that the e-SID was part of broader government efforts to position Kenya as a competitive maritime nation and to grow the blue economy agenda.

Committee members were told that the secure document will reduce cases of identity fraud, ease crew changes at foreign ports, and give Kenyan seafarers equal footing with counterparts from other maritime nations.

KMA boss maintains the authority remains committed to delivering innovative and internationally recognized maritime services.

“The Kenya Maritime Authority remains committed to delivering secure and internationally recognized maritime services that strengthen Kenya’s position as a competitive maritime nation while advancing the Government’s Blue Economy agenda,” he said.

The rollout of the Kenya e-SID is expected to be completed once the PKI integration with CAK is finalized.