Karigithu Confident of Steering IMO

Kenya’s Special Envoy for maritime and Blue Economy Ambassador Nancy Karigithu has exuded confidence in her bid to provide able leadership and spearhead champion the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the United Nations specialized Agency charged with overseeing the global shipping industry.

The Government has nominated Amb Karigithu and Africa Union has endorsed her candidature.

In a recent Interview at Maritimafrica TV, Ambassador Karigithu had this to say:

“I gained wide experience working as an IMO consultant assisting Governments in Africa on the establishment/strengthening of national maritime administrations, creating the right policies and frameworks for the development of Africa’s blue economy, including maritime education & training.” she said.
Ambassador Nancy Karigithu who is also the immediate former principal Secretary for shipping and maritime Affairs started her career almost forty years ago. Like fine wine, Ambassador Karigithu has achieved greatness not just in Kenya but globally as well.

In her career at IMO Ambassador Karigithu has helped Governments in Africa to set up and strengthen autonomous and independent maritime administrations.

She says:-

“The start of my career coincided with a period when IMO was encouraging governments to separate the Maritime administration from mainstream government Ministries. And this is important. The Maritime administration as a stand alone institution enhanced better management and faster decision making on matters affecting shipping operations and regulation, hence providing the right environment for the sector to grow and become the engine of the economy.”

Another aspect in which ambassador Karigithu draws a lot of inspiration is encouraging more girls and women to participate actively in the maritime sector.

“When I joined as KMA as the chief executive, I faced a lot of scepticism as the first female ever at that level in the sector which was stereotypically seen as a male preserve. Indeed in the early days of my work I was told that I don’t even qualify to hold the job of a ‘spanner boy’ on a board a ship”.

It has been a steep learning curve but now I’m happy to have stayed the course to become a role model for girls and women to join the ever growing maritime sector.”

With vast experience spanning almost four decades, Ambassador Karigithu has reiterated her strong belief that she has what it takes to become the next secretary general of the international Maritime Organisation, and is seeking the support of member states to win the bid.

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