For a long time, maritime security was consigned to the peripheries of Africa’s agenda as other issues took precedence. Maritime security was first considered in African countries’ agenda through the efforts of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nation (UN) which were setting benchmarks for the sector and it consequently became the agenda of regional and continental bodies in 2005.
Kenya is geopolitically precariously placed as its maritime zone borders Somalia to the north. Fund for Peace (FfP) fragile states index, 2017 ranks Somalia number 2, out of 178 countries. Fragile states face various threats that threaten regional and international stability. Piracy incidents off the Coast of Somalia awakened the interest of African countries to design plans to secure the Indian Ocean waters. The problem is exacerbated by regular mutation of maritime security issues that get less conventional as a nexus between them is established.
Maritime security is a niche business as established by past CAP YEI studies, and the youthful population need to be equipped with relevant skills to take up opportunities in this sector.
