Mount Kenya University (MKU) earlier this week hosted a major conference in Mombasa on the maritime economy.
The workshop convened a diverse group of scholars, researchers, innovators, industry leaders and policymakers to engage in discussions under the theme ‘Research, Entrepreneurship and Innovation for a Resilient Blue Economy.’
The inaugural Research and Innovation Conference 2025 at MKU Mombasa campus took place at MKU Plaza in Mombasa town earlier this week.
The event graced by Dr. Henry Yatich, Principal of the College of Graduate Studies and Research.
Dr Mercyline Kamande, recognized the value of the blue economy and its capacity to solve the problems facing the coastal area.
The theme of the conference is closely aligned with the government’s initiative to leverage the Blue Economy as a means to tackle unemployment, promote environmental conservation, foster diversity and inclusion, and ensure food security.
The event is part of MKU’s strategic plan (2025-2029) to decentralize research dissemination, ensuring that MKU campuses respond to regional challenges through research and innovation.
He encouraged students to translate their research into marketable innovations, noting that MKU is at the forefront of job creation through research, innovation, and sustainability in the Blue Economy.
Keynote speaker, Mr Stanley Ndege Chai, Secretary of Shipping and Logistics at The Ocean and Blue Economy Office, part of the Executive Office of President William Ruto emphasized the advancements in the Blue Economy resulting fromthe passage of legislation in Parliament.
“There is a huge potential within the blue economy, which encompasses various activities including those on land, shipping and fishing,” he said.
“We must leverage our combined knowledge to create a robust blue economy that protects our ocean heritage for the benefit of future generations. By uniting our efforts, we have the potential to elevate Kenya to the forefront of sustainable ocean resource management, all while guaranteeing that our communities enjoy the rewards of this transformation,” Mr Chai said.
Swahili Port
Mr Ayub Mohamed, the Campus Programme Manager at Swahili Pot Hub, who has been collaborating with MKU Mombasa on a range of initiatives, emphasized the role of Swahili Pot Hub in fostering innovations aimed at propelling the economic growth of the coastal region. Located in Mombasa, Swahilipot Hub Foundation is non-profit organization that focuses on innovation and technology. It serves as a community-driven space that promotes technology, entrepreneurship.
The initiative focuses on ocean conservation, aiming to mitigate marine pollution via heightened awareness of its effects, the reduction of plastic waste, and the protection of marine ecosystems.
According to the National Maritime Transport Policy, more than 90 per cent of Kenya’s international trade is carried out by sea, noted Dr. Conrad Ochego from MKU’s School of Business and Economics.
Stakeholders asked for continued support for students’ innovation projects, including partnerships such as Africa Meets Bavaria (Germany), AGEA Business Idea Competition (Leipzig-Germany), and Enrich Africa’s EU-AU collaboration from South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Ports Authority(KPA) CEO Captain William Ruto recently visited the Malindi Maritime Academy, received by MKU Chairman Board of Directors and Founder, Prof. Simon Gicharu and Dr. Christopher Mutembei.
Mr Ruto praised MKU’s bold investment in maritime education, urged STCW compliance and more rating courses, and noted KPA will benefit as staff can now train locally.
