Seafarers at work inside Mombasa Port. PHOTO/FILE
By ABDULHAKIM SHERMAN
Maritime experts have lauded the appointment of, Mr Martin Dzombo Munga, a naval architect and ocean engineer as the new Director General of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) terming it as transformative approach.
Maritime consultant at Nautical Advisory Services, Mr Andrew Mwangura, said the appointment of Mr Munga as the new Director General of KMA was not only timely but an appropriate decision on how to steer maritime body to success.
Mr Mwangura said Mr Munga’s extensive experience in planning, resource mobilization, design, construction supervision, and contract management in both the public and private sector make him a highly qualified and competent maritime professional to head KMA.
“His impressive educational background further underscores his technical expertise and professional credentials. We are confident that with his leadership, KMA will continue to achieve significant milestones in the transformation of the maritime sector in Kenya,” he said.
The Board of Directors of KMA announced the appointment of Mr Munga as the new Director General effective December 15, saying he will succeed, Mr John Omingo, who has served as the acting DG for the past 18 months.
“Mr Munga, a distinguished naval architect and ocean engineer, brings a vast array of international experience and expertise to KMA. His extensive background in the maritime and shipping sectors across Europe has enabled to demonstrate remarkable skills and leadership in various senior positions,” the KMA board said.
Mr Mwangura said the training achievements of the naval architect and ocean engineer demonstrate his commitment to fostering his skills and knowledge to effectively lead Kenya Maritime Authority.
“Mr Munga is a dynamic and visionary executive passionate about driving transformative change. With a proven track record in delivering large-scale strategic infrastructure and innovation projects leveraging diverse resourcing models,” the Nautical Advisory Services official said.
Mr Mwangura added that Mr Munga will be charged with the responsibility of providing strategic leadership to Kenya to achieve its vision to ensure sustainable, safe, secure, clean and efficient water transport for the benefit of stakeholders through effective regulation, coordination and oversight of maritime affairs.
The KMA board said Mr Munga’s career has been marked by his involvement in groundbreaking maritime projects.
“His work in Green Ship Breaking and leadership in Euro Offshore Projects have underscored his commitment to sustainable maritime practices. His expertise in heavy cargo freight shipping design has also been critical in shaping contemporary shipping logistics,” the KMA board added.
Mr Martin Dzombo Munga, the new Director General of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA). PHOTO/KMA
Mr Munga held senior positions with leading organisations such as Beluga Shipping (GMBH) in Bremen, Germany. Siemens AG in the energy sector, Airbus at Finkenwerder in Hamburg, Germany; and Kroger Werft GMBH & Co. KG in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Mr Munga holds a Master’s degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from Bremen University of Applied Sciences. He is also a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.
Mr Mwangura said Kenyan seafarers’ were grateful to the KMA board for appointing someone with a background in the maritime and shipping industry as the new Director General of KMA.
“Seafarers are the heartbeat of the shipping industry, and their ability to perform their duties without interference from the Landlubbers is essential. For the last 19 years Kenya Maritime Authority has been in the wrong hands of clueless, incompetent and rudderless landlubbers,” the maritime specialist said.
Mr Mwangura said Mr Munga has a chance to redefine and reform the maritime sector and even do more adding that he has been appointed at a time when seafarers and the coastal fishing community seem to be losing patience with the government.
He added that seafarers we looking forward to engaging the new KMA boss on a number of issues related to the seafarers welfare that include; gainful employment for seafarers, quality maritime education and training, strong labor movement, national merchant fleet, VR training for seafarers, cadet training scheme and a strong seafaring sector.
Mr Mwangura said other issues include merchant navy scholarship scheme, merchant navy training board, full-fledged seafarers department at the KMA, dedicated directorate of MET at the KMA, open ship registry, cabotage law and the implementation of section 178 and 118 of the Merchant Shipping Act.
Other issues include implementation of section 6 subsection 1 (d) of the KMA Act, structured seafarers training program, seafarers training funding scheme, implementation of STCW Regulations 1/8, 81(6), 84(2), 87(7) and Regulation 1/6, ensuring all MET Institutions in Kenya must adopt ISO 21001 in order to satisfy requirements of STCW Convention among others.
