New unit to handle ocean disasters

By Joseph Masha

Kilifi, Kenya: Kilifi County Government has announced plans to establish an ocean disaster management unit to curb increased cases of drowning and promote general safety at sea.

Governor Amason Kingi announced Monday that a Kilifi County Sea Search and Rescue Reinforcement Unit (KCSSRRU) would be formed to partner with Kenya Navy officials to ensure safety for ocean users.

Kingi said lack of properly trained officers for rescue operations in case of drowning and to handle other security matters had resulted in loss of life.

“My government is committed to ensuring safety of all those using the ocean either for fishing, swimming and research missions by coming up with a special sea disaster management unit to patrol the ocean line,” said Kingi.

The governor announced the plans when he presided over the graduation of youth trained in ocean disaster skills at the Kilifi Beach Club site on Saturday. Kingi said the trained youth would be recruited to join the KCSSRRU.

The governor also said a special speed boat equipped with modern sea communication facilities would be purchased to enable the officers communicate and track pirates.

He noted with concerns that drug barons have been using the ocean to sneak their drugs into the urban centres using the local fish landing sites like Mtwapa, Takaungu, Kilifi, Uyombo, Watamu, and Mambrui.

Illegal trade

The county government will collaborate with neigbouring counties like Mombasa and the Tana River to boost security along the ocean line, he said. “Fighting illegal trade along the ocean line needs combined efforts by all counties that border the ocean,” said Kingi.

Kilifi Sea Survival Rescue Team captain Issa Shallo said youth are willing to join the rescue team and urged the county government to support them.

Shallo said the team needs special facilities like speed boats, suitable ocean gear and communication gadgets to make their work easy.

Kilifi OCPD Justin Nyaga, who attended the graduation, praised the youth for coming up with the idea of training in sea survival missions.

Mr Nyaga said many people especially visitors from upcountry who do not know how to swim had lost their lives.