The Senate Standing Committee on Energy conducted a fact-finding visit to Mombasa as part of an ongoing assessment of Kenya’s readiness to manage oil pollution risks in both territorial waters and inland water bodies.
Led by Chairperson Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga, the delegation visited the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) headquarters, where officials presented updates on oil spill contingency plans, recent incident responses, and rescue operations in Lake Victoria.
“We came to assess the country’s preparedness in handling oil spills, which pose serious threats to marine biodiversity and inland ecosystems such as Lake Victoria,” said Senator Dr. Oburu.
“The KMA team impressed us with their professionalism and the thorough details shared on how previous spills were contained.”
Senator Oburu commended KMA’s efforts in improving maritime safety, particularly on Lake Victoria, where a major rescue center has been established in Kisumu, with additional satellite stations planned across the lake region.
“This is a promising step forward for the thousands of Kenyans whose livelihoods depend on the lake,” he said.
KMA Director General CPA Omae Nyarandi informed the senators that Kenya’s oil spill response is anchored in a multi-agency National Oil Spill Response System, which is promptly activated during spill incidents.
“We shared two recent oil spill cases with the committee and how they were managed swiftly and effectively,” said Nyarandi.
Recent spill incidents and response measures
Michael Mbaru, Assistant Director for Marine Environment Protection at KMA, elaborated on two recent minor oil spills—one near Berth Number 3 at the Port of Mombasa, and another in the Likoni Channel. Both spills were swiftly contained using appropriate tools and techniques based on the type of oil.
“Every incident is assessed individually. Heavy fuel oil typically requires dispersants to break it down, while lighter oils can be contained using booms and recovered using skimmers,” Mbaru explained.
He also noted that Kenya recently hosted a regional oil spill response drill, attracting experts from across the continent. The exercise served as a practical test of Kenya’s response mechanisms and helped identify areas for improvement.
“We’re currently working on an action plan to address the gaps identified during the drill,” he added.
Committee’s Broader Mandate
As part of its wider oversight mission, the Senate Energy Committee is also focusing on:
Reviewing navigational routes used by oil tankers;
Assessing potential pollution threats to the blue economy and marine ecosystems;
Examining regional and international collaboration on oil spill prevention;
Evaluating Kenya’s overall contingency planning and emergency preparedness.
The committee also held engagements with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to explore port-level oil spill response strategies and assess the capacity of port facilities to manage environmental risks linked to maritime operations.
The Senate Committee’s visit underscores Kenya’s commitment to strengthening environmental safeguards and maritime safety. With enhanced coordination, robust planning, and continuous capacity building, the country is working to protect its vital water resources and marine environments from oil pollution threats.
