The Senate Standing Committee on Energy has praised the Kenya Maritime Authority for its proactive measures in tackling maritime oil pollution and protecting the country's marine ecosystems.
The commendation came during a fact-finding mission by the committee to KMA offices in Mombasa, where senators reviewed Kenya’s preparedness to respond to oil spills along maritime transport corridors, especially around the busy port of Mombasa.
Committee chairperson and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga said the visit was critical in assessing the agency’s capacity to manage oil spill risks.
“We came to understand KMA’s approach to oil spills, which pose a serious danger to our marine environment. The team demonstrated their response systems and shared details of ongoing operations, including efforts in Lake Victoria,” he said.
Oburu revealed that KMA plans to set up a central rescue centre in Kisumu, supported by satellite stations in other strategic locations.
The delegation included Elgeyo Marakwet Senator and committee vice chairperson William Kisang and nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla.
They were hosted by KMA director general Omae Nyarandi, director of maritime safety Julius Koech, and assistant director for marine environment protection Michael Mbaru.
Nyarandi detailed the authority’s oil spill contingency framework, noting that it involves a coordinated, multi-agency response system aligned with international maritime protocols.
“We demonstrated how various agencies collaborate, from containment to clean-up—to effectively manage oil spill emergencies,” he said.
Mbaru
highlighted two recent oil spills that KMA successfully handled.
One involved a spill at Berth 3 of the port of Mombasa, where marine diesel was contained with booms and treated with dispersants.
The second occurred in Likoni during a ship-to-shore fuel transfer, where a pipeline failure led to a spill that was also swiftly contained.
He said regional drills and response evaluations have helped KMA refine its national action plans and close preparedness gaps.
