Naval operations reflect Kenya’s security efforts
Western Indian Ocean security
KENYA: The Kenya Navy concluded leg three of EX-JITEGEMEE XXVII and Operation BAHARI MOJA 03 with a strategic port visit to Diego Suarez, Madagascar, highlighting their growing ambitions to contribute to the shared security efforts across the Western Indian Ocean.
The Kenyan delegation engaged with senior Madagascar defence and civil authorities to advance bilateral cooperation including Navy Captain Rafehizato Andry, Commandant Antsiranana Naval Base, Brigadier General Jaotiana Fernand, General Officer Commanding Antsiranana, Jafimanjo, Interim Governor of Antsiranana and Lucien Mananjara, Prefect of Antsiranana under the Ministry of Interior.
Discussions centred on strengthening maritime security collaboration, enhancing interoperability and promoting regional stability. In a reciprocal gesture, Madagascar Navy personnel conducted a professional visit on board the Kenyan platforms to deepen knowledge exchange and operational understanding.
Naval diplomacy extended to traditions engagements, including a formal reception hosted by the Senior Officer Afloat, which brought together Madagascar government officials, defence representatives and members of the Kenyan community. The event reinforced shared interests and long-standing maritime ties between the two nations.
Kenyan naval personnel also participated in organised excursions across the island, taking in Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, cultural heritage and coastal landscapes.
Throughout the sea phase, Kenya’s Junior Officers Under Training and ship’s crew conducted structured professional development programmes designed to strengthen core maritime competencies, enhance operational judgement and test platform readiness.
The designed training evolutions were conducted in accordance with Kenya Navy training and operational standards with much emphasis put on ocean navigation proficiency, watch keeping, ship-handling, emergency response and operational continuity, all executed towards sharpening the operational competencies of officers and men.
Concurrently, the task unit conducted combined Operation BAHARI MOJA 03 with the Madagascar Navy’s National Maritime Information Fusion Centre (NMIFC), coordinated by the Regional Coordination Operations Centre in Seychelles. Operation BAHARI MOJA 03 is a regional preventive maritime operation which prioritized Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, irregular migration and Narcotics and Drug trafficking.
Through information fusion, the Kenya Navy surface assets maintained focused enduring presence in the designated Area of Operations reassuring confidence to other maritime stakeholders and mitigating sea blindness in the region. These efforts contributed to deterring and preventing foreseeable illicit maritime activities and enhancing collective vigilance across the region.
PHOTO SOURCE: Kenya Navy
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