Coast

Relief for seafarers as government reduces maritime training fees to Sh15,000

By Mishi Gongo | Friday, June 14, 2024

The cost for the mandatory maritime course has been reduced to Sh15,000 from the previous Sh35,000.

It is a relief for seafarers as the government reduces the training cost for The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

The cost for the mandatory maritime course has been reduced to Sh15,000 from the previous Sh35,000.

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Speaking during the unveiling of Kenya's Fourth Medium Term Plan at the Kenya School of Government in Matuga on Friday, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Salim Mvurya, said the move aims to ensure more youth benefit from Blue Economy opportunities.

"The implementation is immediate. From today, the course will be offered at Sh15,000," he said.

From right: Mining CS Salim Mvurya, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, Kwale deputy governor Chirema Kombo and Kwale Speaker Seth Mwatela at Kenya School of Government in Matuga. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

CS Mvurya also stated that the government will dispatch tutors to counties to allow youths to access the course locally.

Currently, the certificate is only offered at the Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa County, making it costly for people from other counties to pursue the course.

In March, the Seafarer Union of Kenya (SUK) complained about the high cost, saying it is out of reach for many youths, thus locking them out of job opportunities on international vessels.

The Union's Secretary General, Atie Swaleh, said that reducing the training fees would open doors for seafarers to seek jobs on foreign vessels.

Atie also called for the harmonisation of seafarers' salaries to prevent exploitation by foreign vessels, which often pay Kenyans less compared to other countries.

"We have no wage standards, making Kenyan seafarers vulnerable to exploitation by some ship companies," said Atie, adding that if wage standards are set, Kenyans will reap the fruits of their labour.

The Fourth Medium Term Plan outlines specific projects by the national government being implemented in the county.

This Plan is a continuation of the midterm programs that were envisioned in Vision 2030 to inspire and transform Kenya.