Kenya Launches Candidacy for Re-election to IMO Council

By Michelle Wanga

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Kenya launched its bid for re-election to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council under category ‘c’ for the biennium 2026-2027 during the 134th Session of the IMO Council in July, 2025.

The state department of shipping and maritime affairs principal secretary (PS) Aden Millah flanked by Kenya High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb Catherine Karemo, announced Kenya’s candidacy for category ‘c’ to IMO delegates attending a networking reception hosted by Kenya at IMO headquarters.

“Kenya’s firm commitment in support of IMO’s objectives and history of leadership in the IMO and within the region makes the country well positioned to enhance the IMO mandate in collaboration with other member states,” she said.

“Kenya’s re-election to the Council under category ‘c’ will bolster the nation’s efforts to serve the maritime community and contribute actively to Maritime Policy Development in advancing sustainable and innovative maritime solutions,” the PS reiterated.

The IMO Assembly is set to elect 40 members of the Council during the 34th session of the Assembly on December 3, 2025 under categories ‘a’, ‘b’ and ‘c’.

Category ‘a’ constitutes of 10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services while category ‘b’ includes 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade and category ‘c’ constitutes 20 states not elected under (a) or (b) that have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographical areas of the world.

To date, 10 countries have presented their interest to vie for category ‘a’, 11 others for category ‘b’ and 26 for category ‘c’.

Kenya was re-elected to category ‘c’ in December 2023 for the biennium 2024-2025 together with Bahamas, Bangladesh, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Tűrkiye.

Her continuous re-election to the Council since 2001 has provided a solid voice at the IMO for Eastern Africa and the Great Lakes region.

If re-elected, this year, Kenya will be part of the Executive Organ of IMO and will be responsible together with other elected member countries, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the IMO and supporting IMO’s initiatives.

Kenya’s re-election bid to the IMO Council comes at an opportune time when the government has reinforced its efforts to progress the country’s blue economy and maritime sector.

Kenya’s re-election to the IMO Council will be of benefit to not only the region but also to the wider international maritime community.