Government agencies in the maritime sector working under the whole-of-government approach are doubling efforts to ensure seafarers are issued with the Seafarer's Identification Documents (SID) to unlock employment opportunities.
The initiative, driven by the State Department for Shipping and Maritime, Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Immigration Services, National Registration Bureau, and e-Citizen, aims to fast-track SID issuance, enabling Kenyan seafarers to access global job markets.
The essential travel document facilitates seafarers' entry aboard vessels for shore leave, transit, transfer, or repatriation in various countries.
Speaking during a joint press briefing with Bandari Maritime Academy and the Kenya National Shipping Line Limited (KNSL), KMA Acting Director General Isaiah Nakoru assured stakeholders that the SID system is in its final stages, pending approval by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to ensure compliance with global standards.
