The project “Go Blue: Strengthened, effective and integrated maritime law enforcement capacity and capabilities to protect the maritime domain and its sustainable development” (outcome 3) financed by the European Union Delegation (EUD) in Kenya under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) will be implemented by Expertise France (EF). The project aims to contribute to the development of the blue economy in Kenya through the improvement of inter-agency cooperation and inter-operability between maritime agencies.

Kenya has started prioritizing the blue economy as the seventh sector to drive the achievement of its Vision 2030 development agenda. This position was reaffirmed by the president at the launch of the Big 4 agenda for Kenya and during the Sustainable blue economy Conference held in Nairobi in November 2018. A number of key political messages were delivered during this Conference including, the importance of ensuring safety and security in high seas to facilitate global trade, connectivity and  safe businesses; to aggressively combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and to take measures to enhance security and safety of collective waters. In order to translate these political orientations, Kenya also established in September 2018 its coast guard service, to be deployed in territorial waters.

To obtain the full benefits of its blue economy, Kenya needs to secure its maritime domain by developing interoperability and inter agency cooperation of its national agencies. Fighting against illicit activities at sea requires a multi stakeholder approach. All maritime security actors, the judiciary, legislative, private sector, civil society and local communities have to be included in response to maritime safety and security challenges.

Within the Go Blue programme, the project aims to help Kenya strengthen maritime law enforcement to protect the maritime domain and its sustainable development. Its specific objectives is to contribute to strengthen the capacity of Kenyan agencies involved in maritime security by fostering agency cooperation with a special focus on the Kenyan Coast Guard Service.

Three results will be sought:

1. To encourage effective cooperation amongst all Kenyan maritime agencies by assisting the Kenyan authorities in developing and implementing a maritime strategy which includes the development of the blue economy;
2. To support the effective implementation of maritime law enforcement in Kenya, especially by the Kenya Coast Guard Service, in order to create a favourable environment for economic growth;
3. To enhance regional cooperation in maritime security.