Speaking in Mombasa during the opening of the Fourth Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) Steering Committee High-Level Meeting, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said international partnerships are essential for securing maritime transport routes, protecting vulnerable communities, and supporting global trade.
Murkomen noted that disruptions to major sea lanes, including those linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis, highlight the importance of collective action against maritime threats such as piracy, armed robbery at sea, hazardous waste dumping, and IUU fishing.
He said organised maritime crime poses a significant threat to global security and livelihoods, underscoring the need for stronger collaboration among nations.
Kenya is a member of IORIS, a secure digital platform developed under the European Union’s CRIMARIO project to enhance maritime information sharing, operational coordination, and surveillance among member states.
More than 150 maritime organisations from over 50 countries across the Indo-Pacific region currently use the platform.
Murkomen commended the European Union for supporting Kenya’s efforts to improve maritime security, noting that joint initiatives have strengthened the country’s capacity to address threats within its territorial waters and safeguard freedom of navigation.
He also highlighted the launch of Usalama Baharini, a mobile application developed by the Kenya Coast Guard Service in partnership with the EU CRIMARIO project and integrated into the IORIS platform. The app enables fishermen to relay critical safety and security information, enhancing maritime surveillance and improving response to incidents at sea.
