The government is leading efforts to strengthen regional readiness against maritime oil pollution through the Maritime Search and Pollution Response Exercise (MASEPOLREX25) field training exercise.
The training taking place from July 7 to 11, 2025, at Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa aims at bringing together stakeholders from across the region to assess and improve response mechanisms in the event of an oil spill in the Western Indian Ocean.
The simulation, coordinated by the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), in collaboration with the Kenya Navy and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), aims to evaluate national and regional preparedness, test emergency protocols, and foster cooperation among neighbouring states.
Speaking at the opening of the exercise, KMA Director for Maritime Safety and Exercise Coordinator Julius Koech said the scenario simulates a collision between two oil tankers at the Kenya-Tanzania maritime border, resulting in a major oil spill. "We are testing the management of a large-scale maritime crisis by activating the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
