Authors: Brian Lekarie Twalah1, Lucy W. Maina2, Charles Nyamori Orora3
1National Defence University- Kenya(NDU-K)
PO BOX 30083-00100, Nairobi-KENYA
Author Email: Adrianleyan@gmail.com
2Kenyatta University
PO BOX 43844-00100, Nairobi-Kenya
ABSTRACT: The Kenyan Coastline is 536km long, with 197 landing sites. Study findings indicate that over 1300 small vessels go in and out of Kilifi County’s coastal shores for various purposes of economic value, including artisanal fishing, small-scale transportation, and recreation. Further, reports indicate that there have been 38 incidents between 2021 and 2023, with 40 fatalities and 140 rescued at sea, making this study necessary. The study, therefore, sought to identify the risks to small vessel safety. The study employed a convergent parallel research design. The target population in this study included small vessel owners, operators and seafarers in Kilifi County, Kenya Maritime Authority as the lead agency on maritime safety, other enforcement agencies such as Kenya Navy, Kenya Marine Fisheries and Research Institute, Kenya Coastguard Service and Beach Management Units. Purposive sampling method was used for top management in the various agencies identified in the target population, while Cluster sampling was used for small vessel operators and seafarers to select a sample of 369 respondents from a population of 4772. The study employed questionnaires and structured interviews to collect data. Qualitative data analysis was done through narrative analysis, and quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Study findings indicated that small vessel safety levels in Kilifi County were low. Most respondents reported machinery damage and equipment failure as the main hazard characteristic at sea. At the same time, bad weather or non-adherence to weather warnings was a major vulnerability point that led to maritime accidents of small vessel in Kilifi County. The study recommends that small vessel operators have adequate safety equipment before proceeding to sea, maritime safety enforcers increase the frequency of safety training to small vessel users and seafarers to inculcate safety culture at sea, maritime enforcers be well resourced to increase presence at sea, and the introduction of billboards at all landing sites detailing daily weather and tidal information at sea to enable small vessel operators and seafarers determine their safety at sea.
Keywords: Maritime Domain, Maritime safety, Maritime Risk Mitigation measures, Small Vessel
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Suggested Citation
Lekarie , B. T., Maina, L. W., and Nyamori, C. O. (2025). Examining Maritime Risk Mitigation Measures And Small Vessel Safety In Kilifi County, Kenya. African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 12(2), 1-14. Available at http://arjess.org/social-sciences-research/examining-maritime-risk-mitigation-measures-and-small-vessel-safety-in-kilifi-county-kenya.pdf
