Kenya Coast Guard Service capacity building initiatives include the proposed addition of 200 officers and the rehabilitation of boats used by the officers.
by Blue Africa News
The Kenyan government has embarked on a path to strengthen the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), aimed at enhancing patrol and protection of the country’s international waters across Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana, and the Indian Ocean.
Addressing the press on January 21, 2026 after inspection of key security installations, including facilities operated by KCGS and the Port of Kisumu, Cabinet Secretary for interior and national coordination Kipchumba Murkomen said Lake Victoria comes with immense economic and strategic value to Kenya, noting that a strong coast guard service is critical in safeguarding livelihoods while countering the smuggling of goods, including narcotics.
Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana, he said, have been identified as key entry points for drugs and alcohol into the country from neighbouring countries, insisting that strengthening KCGS is one of the modalities being put in place to address the situation.
Whereas Lake Victoria serves as Kenya’s border with Uganda to the West and Tanzania to the South West, Lake Turkana borders Uganda to the West, South Sudan to the North West and Ethiopia to the North East.
“The point we are making today is that the president has announced that this year is very critical in terms of the fight against drugs and alcohol abuse, particularly the sale of illicit alcohol,” he said.
“And one of the routes that is used to smuggle this contraband is Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana because they are border lakes. I must say that the Kenya Coast Guard is extremely important in terms of securing these paths, especially as we deal with drugs.”
The minister said fish cage farmers in Lake Victoria have complained of registering losses occasioned by the theft of fish and fishing equipment.
“There have been many complaints from the fisherfolk in the lake that there is a lot of harassment from officers from the neighbouring countries. There is also stealing and robbing of fish and fishing equipment. And so, we want to quickly strengthen the capacity of the Coast Guard to be able to patrol this lake,” added Murken.
The capacity building initiatives in the pipeline include the proposed addition of 200 officers to KCGS and the rehabilitation of the over 5 boats used by the officers.
“As you know, we are partnering with the Kenya Shipyard Limited, which is an agency within the Ministry of Defense, to make sure that we rehabilitate the boats that we had,” emphasised the minister.
“At the moment, we are expecting proper rehabilitation after an overhaul of nine boats; four here and five in Mombasa or in the coast region. And we want to expedite that process to enable the coast guards to work together with a multi-agency team from other sectors to ensure that they can effectively patrol Lake Victoria,” he added, revealing that three boats have already been rehabilitated.
According to the minister, 200 officers drawn from the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and the Kenya Police Service (KPS) will be added to the KCGS in the coming days, “to strengthen our team to be able to respond accordingly, if need be.”
The Kenya Coast Guard Service was initiated in November 2018 as a maritime security organ to operate in high seas so as to protect Kenya’s territorial waters against terrorism, piracy, illegal fishing and human trafficking.
Bruno Shioso, KCGS director general welcomed the government’s intervention, saying that with enhanced resources, KCGS will be in a better position to proactively plan operations and also respond to incidences of security and safety nature in a timely manner.
“We shall also be able to conduct enduring operations with more maritime patrols that takes longer period while at sea or waters, hence securing our waters adequately,” the former Kenya Police Service spokesperson told Blue in a follow up query on the government’s plans.
Operations ongoing at the Kisumu Port on January 21, 2026. Photo courtesy: Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o press unit.
Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o says KCGS plays a pivotal role in safeguarding Kenya’s hardworking fisherfolk and ensuring compliance with maritime laws, “a critical pillar in advancing our Blue Economy agenda.”
He urged all fishermen and lake users to work closely with the Kenya Coast Guard Services and install the “Usalama Baharini” (safety at sea) mobile app, terming it the “fastest lifeline whenever in distress within Lake Victoria.”
Piloted two years ago, the mobile application facilitates the reporting of suspicious activities at sea or lake, and enhances search and rescue efforts, empowering coastal communities to actively participate in maintaining maritime security and safety.
Additionally, it serves as a direct communication channel between coastal communities and maritime safety and security agencies.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News