Government agencies in the maritime sector working under the whole-of-government approach are doubling efforts to ensure seafarers are issued with the Seafarer’s Identification Documents (SID) to unlock employment opportunities.
The initiative, driven by the State Department for Shipping and Maritime, Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Immigration Services, National Registration Bureau, and e-Citizen, aims to fast-track SID issuance, enabling Kenyan seafarers to access global job markets.
The essential travel document facilitates seafarers’ entry aboard vessels for shore leave, transit, transfer, or repatriation in various countries.
Speaking during a joint press briefing with Bandari Maritime Academy and the Kenya National Shipping Line Limited (KNSL), KMA Acting Director General Isaiah Nakoru assured stakeholders that the SID system is in its final stages, pending approval by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to ensure compliance with global standards.
The push for seamless SID issuance follows a directive from Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, who intervened after student protests at Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA). The demonstrations highlighted concerns over sea-time opportunities and misinformation regarding certification standards.
KMA Acting Director General Isaiah Nakoru linked the recent unrest of BMA students to misinformation.
He revealed that the country has witnessed a tremendous growth of Seafarers, from 5,000 in 2022 to the current 16,000. He confirmed that Kenya is in the IMO Whitelist, which means the certificates issued by KMA to its seafarers are internationally accepted and are recognised by IMO partner member states.
“There are people who want to mislead others that the certificates produced are not meeting the international standards. We want to confirm that our certificates meet the international standards,” affirmed the KMA Ag. DG.
The agencies promised to embark on awareness creation on their respective roles and on available employment opportunities to combat misinformation.
Nakoru further reiterated the government’s commitment to creating employment opportunities for seafarers. For instance, he noted that Kenya has signed Recognition Agreements with four countries: Panama, Liberia, Palau and Jamaica.
“These four countries have a combined ship register of about 14,000 ships on which our Kenyan seafarers can be engaged for employment,” he said, adding that KMA also regulates Seafarers Recruitment and Placement Agencies to improve the welfare of Seafarers.
Nakoru also urged students to seek dialogue rather than demonstrations, warning that protests could tarnish the country’s image and undermine industry growth.
BMA Board Chairman Prof. Kinandu Muragu reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to addressing students’ concerns proactively.
He announced that the academy, which recently received IMO accreditation as an International Training Centre for Maritime, would ensure that all Diploma graduates secure sea-time experience by June.
“Whoever we train from Bandari should be able to be accepted by nations that carry the IMO flag,” he stated, adding, “As long as we are on the IMO whitelist, we should be able to get our cadets to work in these countries.”
KNSL Managing Director Abdalla Hatimy assured students that they will ensure transparency in the placement of students on vessels to get sea time based on merit.
He disclosed that Kenya has a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Korea for the placement of 1000 cadets on their vessels.
By Sadik Hassan
