Kenya, a frontrunner in maritime security governance in East Africa, is actively pioneering the testing of innovative solutions to tackle various maritime challenges. The Kenya Coast Guard Service, in collaboration with Expertise France, has initiated the Community Watch Programme, a pilot initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between coastal communities and maritime law enforcement actors. At the heart of this program is a smartphone application called ‘Usalama Baharini - Kenya’ (‘safety at sea’ in Kiswahili), which serves as a direct communication channel between coastal communities and maritime safety and security agencies. The mobile application facilitates the reporting of suspicious activities at sea and enhances search and rescue efforts.
Navigating the waves: conquering maritime challenges for a safer tomorrow
"Addressing maritime security challenges is paramount in ensuring the safety and prosperity of our coastal region. The Joint Operations Centre located at the Port of Mombasa plays a key role in addressing these challenges by ensuring a common operational picture through efficient Maritime Domain Awareness,” says Aziz Manda, from the Kenya Coast Guard Service. “By uniting different agencies under one roof, we broke down the silo mentality and created open spaces for seamless information sharing. With no single agency solely responsible for this critical task, our multi-agency approach ensures focused attention and effective coordination.”
Maritime security is a critical concern for countries with coastlines, as it directly impacts national security, economic activities, and the safety of coastal communities. With its extensive coastline along the Indian Ocean, Kenya faces significant maritime security challenges, including illegal fishing, drug trafficking and smuggling. Recognizing the need for innovative solutions, the Kenya Coast Guard Service and Expertise France have partnered to develop the Community Watch Programme, focusing on empowering coastal communities to actively participate in maintaining maritime security and safety.
Bridging the gap by using the power of technology and innovation
"For many years, there has been a gap in communication between the Kenya Coast Guard Service and fishermen along Mtongwe Beach. In the past, we faced challenges in reporting maritime illicit activities,” says Brian Mwia Mutongi, one of the fishers at the Beach Management Unit in Mtongwe Beach, Mombasa. “However with the app, anonymity is guaranteed and no one will know who contacted the Coast Guard. It is very user-friendly and it will help us from any harm or any dangers alongside the sea and the shores of Mtongwe Beach."
The ‘Usalama Baharini’ smartphone application is a vital digital tool in the Community Watch Programme, connecting coastal communities with maritime law enforcement agencies. Through the application, users can report suspicious activities at sea, such as potential security threats, unauthorized vessels, or instances of illegal fishing. By streamlining the reporting process, Usalama Baharini empowers communities to actively participate in maintaining maritime security.
“We discovered that collaborating with the fisher folk communities is key in the success of any maritime safety and security agency. We looked at how we could leverage modern innovative technology and that is how the Usalama Baharini app came into fruition,” says Aziz Manda from the Kenya Coast Guard Service. “Through the app, we can also share pertinent information with the fisher communities that is relevant to them, such as weather information or any other safety concerns. The largest demographic that engages in fishing activities is the youth, most of whom are technologically savvy with the majority of them owning smartphones. Utilizing this mobile app makes it easy and convenient for them to reach out to us.”
Unifying waters, empowering collaboration: Usalama Baharini spurs regional collaboration
Since its implementation, the Community Watch Programme at large has made significant strides in strengthening the relationship between coastal communities and maritime law enforcement actors. The application has empowered communities to actively participate in safeguarding their waters, making them key stakeholders in maritime security governance. By bridging the gap between citizens and authorities, the Usalama Baharini app has fostered a sense of ownership and shared responsibility, leading to a more robust and inclusive security ecosystem.
The ‘Usalama Baharini’ application not only facilitates information sharing at the national level, the app is also connected to the Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) system which is a maritime operational coordination and communications platform used by over 50 national and regional maritime agencies from over 23 countries and organizations across the Indo-Pacific. Through its integration with the IORIS system, the application strengthens Kenya's engagement with the broader Western Indian Ocean region by enhancing regional cooperation and information exchange, contributing to the collective maritime security efforts.
Moreover, the success of the Community Watch Programme and the Usalama Baharini app has attracted the interest of countries within the region such as Mozambique, Madagascar, and Seychelles. These nations recognize the potential of replicating the initiative in their own maritime domains to bolster security and cooperation. As a pioneer in this field, Kenya's experience with the app serves as a valuable blueprint for other nations seeking innovative solutions to maritime security challenges.
Click the link below to know more about the Usalama Baharini Application.