COMMANDER KENYA NAVY PARTICIPATES IN INDIA’S NAVAL EVENTS
Commander Kenya Navy, Major General Paul Otieno, successfully concluded a high-level visit to India from 16–23 February 2026, participating in the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, Exercise MILAN, the 9th Conclave of Chiefs of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS CoC), and the 5th Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC 2026).
The engagements reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to a secure, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean, a region vital to global trade, energy security, and sustainable development. Discussions centered on enhancing maritime cooperation, operational interoperability, and coordinated responses to evolving threats, including piracy, trafficking, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, dark shipping, and climate-related risks.
During the visit, Maj Gen Otieno paid a courtesy call to Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Indian Western Naval Command,Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, highlighting the growing Kenya–India defence partnership and expanded naval cooperation in training, operations, and safeguarding the Western Indian Ocean under a rules-based maritime order.
At the IONS Conclave on 20 February 2026, which brought together Chiefs of Navies and maritime security leaders from 33 countries, Kenya Navy was elected Chair of IONS for the 2030–2032 period. This election reflects international confidence in Kenya’s leadership as a key East African maritime security contributor and trusted regional partner. Conclave deliberations emphasized collaboration on shared challenges such as piracy, trafficking, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, and emerging threats like dark shipping.
The visit also marked Kenya’s first participation at the Goa Maritime Conclave 2026 on 21 February 2026 in Goa. In his address to fellow Navy chiefs and delegates, he cited the success of Kenya-led OPERATION BAHARI SAFI against drug trafficking and called for strengthened regional cooperation and capacity building to address emerging maritime security threats. He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to collective maritime security and urged enhanced partnerships in information sharing, capacity building, and actionable maritime cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region.
Further strengthening Kenya–India defence ties, Maj Gen Otieno visited Goa Shipyard Limited and Zen Technologies in Delhi, reflecting the growing strategic importance of defence industry partnerships. He highlighted opportunities for joint shipbuilding, technology transfer, and co-development, praising Zen’s simulation systems for enhancing operational readiness and mission planning, and emphasized that closer defence industry–navy collaboration can deliver sustainable capability growth.
Separately, Maj Gen Otieno paid a courtesy call to Kenya’s High Commissioner to India, H.E. Mr. Peter Maina Munyiri at the Kenyan High Commission in New Delhi. The discussions focused on strengthening the Kenya–India defence partnership, including collaboration in the defence industry, shipbuilding, capability development, and training to address emerging maritime threats. Both leaders emphasized that deeper cooperation will bolster Kenya’s naval capabilities while promoting a secure, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean.
Source : Ministry of Defence – Kenya
