Kenya is poised to create more than 3,000 overseas employment opportunities for seafarers following the signing of labour agreements with Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Korea, the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has announced.
Speaking during the Kenya Day of the Seafarer celebrations, KMA Director General Omae Nyarandi said the agreements mark a significant milestone in expanding access to international shipping jobs for Kenyan seafarers.
"We have signed agreements with Saudi Arabia, Singapore and, most recently, South Korea. These three agreements alone require us to supply more than 3,000 seafarers," Nyarandi said.
He added that the agreements will become operational in the coming months after the completion of the necessary implementation framework, with the first batch of beneficiaries expected within three months.
Nyarandi also announced that financial support for maritime cadets, which had previously been suspended, will be reinstated in the upcoming financial year beginning in July.
The announcement was welcomed by maritime unions, which used the annual event to call for reforms aimed at improving the welfare and protection of Kenyan seafarers working locally and abroad.
Kenya Seafarers Union Secretary General Atie Swaleh Ramadhan urged the government to introduce a standardized wage structure for Kenyan seafarers, saying the absence of clear salary guidelines has left many workers vulnerable to exploitation.
She also called for greater transparency in recruitment, arguing that irregular hiring processes have contributed to incidents involving human trafficking.
"We need a clearance certificate issued jointly by the Kenya Maritime Authority and the union so we can track where our seafarers are employed, who has hired them and the conditions under which they are working," Ramadhan said.
She further appealed for the establishment of a dedicated education fund for maritime cadets, noting that many trainees are forced to discontinue their studies because they cannot afford tuition fees.
Maritime leaders also pledged to strengthen collaboration among various seafarers' associations by forming a unified committee that will advocate for employment opportunities, training and improved working conditions.
Captain Munga Peter, Chairman of Seafarers Union of Kenya, said the industry's priority remains creating jobs for Kenyan seafarers through stronger engagement with government and other stakeholders.
"Our biggest concern is employment. Seafarers want jobs, and we already know the solutions. We simply need support and collaboration to unlock these opportunities," he said.
Meanwhile, Kenya Ships Agents Association Chief Executive Officer Elijah Mbaru said Kenya must improve maritime education and align training institutions with international standards to fully benefit from growing global demand for skilled seafarers.
He noted that while approximately 19,000 seafarers are registered with KMA, only about 6,000 are currently active, with roughly half serving as officers.
Mbaru cited projections by international shipping organisations indicating a global shortage of 114,000 ship officers by 2030, saying Kenya is well placed to fill part of the gap if it invests in quality training and internationally recognized certification.
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Second Assistant Secretary General Caroline Ruto also pledged the federation's support for Kenyan seafarers, calling for greater attention to the welfare of women working in the maritime sector and emphasizing the industry's contribution to the country's economic growth.
