Over 2000 coastal workers equipped with skills to enhance maritime safety,
Over 2000 coastal workers equipped with skills to enhance maritime safety
Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, has announced the training of more than 2,000 dhow operators, fisherman, boat operators, and coxwains throughout the Kenyan Coast in order to provide them knowledge of maritime transit and navigation.
Mvurya claims that the initiative, which is entirely funded by his Ministry through the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs in cooperation with the coastal county governments, will not require the trainers to pay any fees.
When he accompanied the President on his visit to examine Blue Economy initiatives in the area, Mr. Mvurya was speaking in Ngomeni area, Magarini Sub-County in Kilifi county.
In addition to other activities, the President presented 300 certificates to the first group of coxwains in Lamu County who successfully finished the Maritime Navigation course during the tour, which included Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale Counties. The Kenya Maritime Authority, a SAGA under the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, and the Lamu County Government supported the courses.
The President also distributed checks totaling Sh. 550 million as part of the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Social Economic Development Project, which would help groups of fishermen in coastal areas expand their fishing businesses.
To decrease and prevent marine mishaps and eventually save lives, he said, “the training is expected to result in safe and efficient maritime transport and enhance safe conduct of fishing activities within our waters.”
The Chief Secretary (CS), flanked by his Principal Secretaries for Shipping and Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy and Fisheries, Mr. Shadrack Mwadime and Ms. Betsy Muthoni, respectively, assured the President of the commitment of his Ministry to ensure that the Blue Economy sector plays a crucial role in the nation’s economic development.
At a ceremony that will be planned in two weeks, Mwadime stated that the Department will present all the remaining certificates to coxwains from Kilifi County who have also participated in and successfully finished the training.
He emphasized that all coxwains and fisherman are eligible for the training at no cost. He emphasized that “the Government has decided to offer these life-saving skills at no cost” since “this is a crucial ‘hustler’ population that is contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable development of the region.”
