Kenyan president pledges increased investment to boost maritime security

President William Ruto and Commander Kenya Navy Major General Paul Otieno during the Kenya Navy 60th Anniversary, at the Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe, Mombasa County. [PCS]

Kenyan President William Ruto said on Saturday that the government will increase investment in the maritime sector as part of efforts to counter threats along the borders.

Ruto, who led the nation in celebrating the Kenya Navy's 60th anniversary at its base in the coastal city of Mombasa, said the government will enhance support for the navy to boost its ability to safeguard the country's maritime borders.

"Our singular focus will be on maintaining a high state of readiness to ensure that we respond swiftly and effectively to an increasingly dynamic security environment," he said.

The event, which began early Saturday, commemorated six decades of the navy's unwavering dedication to protecting Kenya's maritime borders and upholding national sovereignty.

Ruto said Kenya will ramp up investment in advanced technologies and modernize the navy's fleet, adding that the government will also bolster the skills and operational capacity of navy personnel.

"The strategic importance of the Kenya Navy cannot be overstated. It serves as a deterrent to external aggression, a safeguard of our sovereignty, and a defender of our territorial integrity," Ruto said.

The president said the Kenya Navy has been instrumental in unlocking Kenya's immense untapped potential in the blue economy. "By investing in maritime infrastructure and enhancing its security, we not only improve our naval capabilities but also create opportunities for wealth generation and job creation."

The Kenyan leader further commended the synergy between the navy and the Kenya Coast Guard Service, which formed the cornerstone of Kenya's National Maritime Defense Strategy. He said the two institutions protect the country's coastline, combat illegal activities, secure maritime resources, and safeguard sea lanes of communication and trade.

Defense Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said the Kenya Navy's contribution to the blue economy has boosted the actualization of the country's development plan.

"Our efforts in protecting our maritime ecosystems and promoting the sustainable use of maritime resources contribute to the prosperity of our nation," Tuya said.