Kenya and the European Union have renewed calls for stronger international cooperation to counter maritime threats and safeguard global trade routes, warning that insecurity at sea increasingly has far-reaching economic and political consequences for countries around the world.
Speaking during the opening of the Fourth Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) Steering Committee meeting in Mombasa, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said maritime security challenges have become intertwined with economic stability and domestic security.
Murkomen noted that disruptions affecting major shipping routes, particularly those linked to conflicts in the Middle East, have contributed to rising fuel and commodity prices in Kenya despite the country having no direct involvement in those conflicts.
“We are suffering immense economic challenges for a war that we have absolutely no role in,” he said, adding that maritime insecurity often translates into economic and political pressures on land.
The three-day meeting, jointly hosted by Kenya and the European Union under the Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific (CRIMARIO) programme, has brought together maritime security stakeholders from across the Indo-Pacific region to review and strengthen governance of the IORIS information-sharing platform.
Murkomen said transnational threats such as piracy, armed robbery at sea, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, hazardous waste dumping, and attacks on underwater infrastructure continue to pose serious risks to global commerce and vulnerable populations.
He emphasized that proactive partnerships and information sharing are essential in addressing emerging threats and ensuring freedom of navigation.
The Cabinet Secretary commended the European Union for supporting Kenya’s efforts to strengthen maritime security capacities through collaborative programmes.
According to Murkomen, Kenyan agencies including the Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Navy, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority and the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee have benefited from the deployment of the IORIS platform, which enables secure communication and exchange of critical information among maritime stakeholders.
He highlighted the integration of the Salama Bahari mobile application into the IORIS system, describing it as a breakthrough that has enhanced maritime domain awareness and improved the safety of fishermen and coastal communities.
Developed through a collaboration between the Kenya Coast Guard Service and KARU, the application provides fishers with real-time security and safety information while enabling faster responses from authorities.
Murkomen said the technology has also strengthened surveillance and safety efforts in inland waters such as Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana.
Beyond technological tools, the Cabinet Secretary stressed the importance of personal relationships and direct engagement among maritime professionals, saying face-to-face interactions and networks established during conferences often prove more valuable than official papers.
“Nothing replaces a one-on-one conversation,” he said, urging delegates to maintain contacts that could facilitate future cooperation.
Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to Kenya Ondrej Simek said the next three years present an opportunity for member states and stakeholders to evaluate successes and challenges and develop strategic responses to emerging risks.
He urged participants to explore ways of leveraging the IORIS platform to address new threats, including shadow fleets, cyber and maritime infrastructure risks.
Simek reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting and investing in the platform, emphasizing that its success depends on active participation from member states and users.
“Together we can ensure that IORIS is not just a tool but a catalyst for safer, more secure and more cooperative maritime domain,” he said.