Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has awarded Mount Kenya University Maritime Academy Accreditation certificate.
The Principal Secretary of the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Kaituko Geoffrey Eyanae, presided over the certificate award ceremony.
It also brought together stakeholders from the government and private sector.
Speaking during the ceremony, MKU Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi said that the academy represents Mount Kenya University’s collective commitment to advancing maritime education, research, and innovation in Kenya and beyond the national borders.
“Today, we not only celebrate the opening of this academy but also the accreditation of Mount Kenya University to offer Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) courses. This marks a significant internationalization achievement for us as a university,” said Prof. JAGANYI said.
On her part, area Member of Parliament Amina Mnyazi lauded MKU for initiating a tailor-made institution that will directly benefit the people of the Coastal region, terming the academy “the best thing that has happened to the Constituency.”
“A year ago we had students travel away from Kenya for some type of training but now look at what we have here! State of the Art Facility!,” said Captain Peter Munga, the Director of Maritime Education Training and Labour at KMA.
Meanwhile, Kilifi County Woman MP Gertrude Mbeyu pledged to mobilise students in her county to register for maritime courses in the academy.
“I’m so happy for MKU, welcome to Kilifi County, welcome to Malindi. Kuanzia kesho mimi tayari nitajaza forms, najua kule nitawatoa wanafunzi hawa,” she declared, amid cheers from the attendants.
Government to support the Maritime academy
PS Eyanae insisted that the government will support the maritime academy to ensure its success.
“It is our policy as a government to support all training institutions that offer maritime courses, whether they are public or private. I want to thank Dr Christopher Mutembei and Prof. Simon Gicharu for their commitment to ensuring that as many Kenyans as possible are able to access (maritime) education here at home,” he said.
“Mimi kama PS ntahakikisha kwamba I will support you, 100% , hata mkitaka 150% I will support you.”
