State Acquires Patrol Vessels to Facilitate Physical Sea surveillance

The newly acquired patrol vessels will be monitoring illegal fishing and related crimes within the country’s water territory.   

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the newly acquired patrol boats will facilitate physical surveillance and electronic monitoring of the country’s marine and fisheries.

He defended the government move to acquire the patrol vessels at the tune of 306 million to combat illegal fishing.

“We are determined to deal with raids of illegal fishing and related crimes along the water territory,” he pointed out.

He  was speaking during the launch of six patrol vessels at  Liwatoni fish hub courtesy of Kenya Fisheries Service [KeFS] held in Mvita constituency, Mombasa county.

The Deputy President insisted the government had acquired the new boats to deal with illegal fishing and unreported and unregulated fishing.

Rigathi added the patrol boats will also carry out surveillance within the country’s territorial waters.

He pointed out the government acquired the facilities with the assistance of Japan government alongside training for sea crew.

“We applaud the government of Japan for including critical assignments adding maritime affairs ministry to work hand in hand with other ministries and government agencies,” he disclosed.

The Deputy President said the government is steadfast in delivery on ocean economy development for the benefit of  the coastal community and the country at  large.

Rigathi said the government acknowledges the partnership with the government of Japan through its agenesis with collaboration with six counties from the coast region.

He said in his speech the government realized the importance of extending the scope of the partnership in the blue economy and beyond.  

There  is an  urgent need to inject more resources to be able to accelerate development in the  sector.

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