UN Global Compact Network Kenya Host Workshop to Strengthen Ocean Safety and Governance in Kenya’s Marine Fisheries

On 18 December 2025, the UN Global Compact Network Kenya convened an Ocean Centres Kenya workshop in Kilifi County focused on Strengthening Ocean Safety and Governance in Kenya’s Marine Fisheries. The event brought together 64 participants from a wide range of stakeholders for in-depth discussions on strengthening ocean governance and safety, combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and promoting safer seas through practical ocean safety measures.

According to the Kenya Maritime Authority, more than 60 percent of reported maritime incidents between 2018 and 2022 were linked to preventable human error and inadequate enforcement of safety protocols. This data accentuate the importance of coordinated action to improve safety standards and governance across marine fisheries.

The workshop featured speakers from Kenyan local government and international organizations, including Alan McCulla, (OBE) of the International Fund for Fishing Safety; Duncan Spencer of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH); Elisha Shehan from the Directorate of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Kilifi County; and Jane Sidi, Deputy Speaker of the Kenya Young Members of County Assemblies, who moderated the session. Key partners present at the event also include the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), the Technical University of Mombasa, Pwani University, the LEAF Charity Organization, and the Beach Management Units (BMUs)—underscoring the importance of collaboration in safeguarding Kenya’s marine resources and supporting resilient coastal livelihoods.

Launched in August 2025, Ocean Centres Kenya is anchored in the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and is a partnership initiative of the United Nations Global Compact’s Ocean Stewardship Coalition and Lloyd’s Register Foundation. The workshop, led by Olive Mumbo, Country Lead, Ocean Centres Kenya, reaffirmed the initiative’s role as a localized platform to raise awareness, strengthen capacity, and mobilize responsible business action to protect marine resources, enhance coastal resilience, and advance sustainable blue economy growth. 

Opening the workshop, Judy Njino, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Kenya, emphasized that ocean safety is not an abstract concept but a daily reality for fishers, processors, and coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on the sea. She noted that strengthening safety and governance requires collaboration across government, business, and communities, grounded in local realities and informed by global best practices.

Since its launch, four Ocean Centres Kenya workshops have convened diverse stakeholders to identify risks, share practical insights, and strengthen collaboration across Kenya’s marine fisheries sector. This final convening of 2025 closed the year with a strong foundation for continued engagement and impact.



As Ocean Centres Kenya looks ahead to 2026, the focus remains on deepening collaboration, strengthening safety leadership, and advancing practical, locally driven solutions that protect both people and the ocean.