One of the new rescue boats unveiled by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs to enhance safety at sea in Malindi. Photo by Ben Okweingoti 
By Ben Okweingoti
Malindi fisherfolk and beachgoers have received a major boost after the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, in partnership with the Kilifi County Government, unveiled two new rescue boats to enhance safety at sea.
The move comes amid rising cases of drowning and fishermen disappearing in the Indian Ocean, with at least 16 incidents reported this year alone.
Principal Secretary for Blue Economy, Betsy Njagi, said one of the boats procured by the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) is capable of operating for 48 hours nonstop without refueling, making it crucial for search-and-rescue missions. The second, a medium-sized vessel, was procured and launched by the County Government.
To further support the sector, Njagi revealed that the ministry has allocated Sh175 million for the construction of 52 fishing boats to be distributed to Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Kilifi. Additionally, in collaboration with the county, Sh120 million has been earmarked for larger deep-sea fishing vessels with a capacity of 10–15 tons of fish.
Governor Gideon Mung’aro welcomed the donation, noting that Kilifi already operates six midsized rescue boats and has trained six coxswains to man the new fleet.
“Beyond the six boats we already have, the vessel from KMA will strengthen our deep-sea rescue capacity and help save lives of fishermen lost at sea,” he said.
Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho disclosed that the national government has invested over Sh10 billion in the blue economy sector across the Coast in the last two years. Kilifi alone has benefitted from projects worth Sh2 billion, including modern fish landing sites, safety gear, cooler boxes, and fishing nets.
Speaking during the launch in Malindi, Joho assured that all BMUs in the Coast will soon be equipped with rescue boats to strengthen emergency response at sea.
Local leaders, including Shella Ward MCA Twahir Abdulkarim, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, and Kaloleni MP Paul Katana, also graced the event. Abdulkarim urged KMA to prioritize local recruitment of captains, while Mnyazi noted the vessels would also help boost surveillance through frequent patrols.
The intervention comes at a critical time, following a string of recent tragedies. In the last month, two fishermen died after their boat capsized in Watamu, while three others went missing last week. One body was later recovered in Kipini, with two still unaccounted for.
