A US $381,000 fire fighting facility has been launched in Kenya at the Mtongwe naval base, Mombasa County.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, and Danish Ambassador Ole Thonke, joined by Defence CS Monica Juma performed the launch ceremony and said the investment will help KNTC’s status as a centre for maritime excellence in East Africa.
The handover culminates after months of developing the firefighting Unit and providing technical expertise by the British Peace Support Team and the Danish Peace and Stabilisation program. The multipurpose training facility will further strengthen UK’s defense relationship with Kenya.
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Maritime security
“From land to sea, our UK and Kenyan forces are working shoulder to shoulder to bring security and stability to the region. Excellent training standards with high-quality equipment as we have seen today are vital in our efforts of tackling shared threats,” said Marriott.
“Denmark is proud to have accomplished this facility together with our close allies and friends from the UK and the Republic of Kenya. It is our mutual ambition that the Fire Fighting Unit will contribute to the integration of the “Blue Kenya” promoting cooperation among maritime agencies such as Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), and the like. We look forward to seeing this facility being utilised to its full capacity,” said Thonke.
The Defence CS on his part said the UK’s British Peace Support Team, headquartered in Karen, Nairobi, has monitored the specification and the building of the Unit to ensure that it meets international standards. She added that the UK’s South Shields Marine School has also provided technical support, curriculum design, and the provision of specialist training equipment.
“The new training unit meets the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers. To be certified under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards, the Kenya Navy. In addition to firefighting, the multi-purpose unit will also be utilised to train sailors in the theoretical elements of vessel board search and seizure, which will enhance capability in maritime security. The facility will be available to other maritime agencies to conduct their firefighting and sea survival training, which is essential for deployment at sea,” said Monica.
