By Harrison Kivisu
The newly appointed Kenya Maritime Authority(KMA) board of directors’ Chairman Mohamed Ahmed Kolosh assumed office on Tuesday with new tasks to ensure seamless management of the government institution.
The new chair will among other roles ensure KMA actualises its 2023-2028 strategic plan inline with global standard operating procedures.
Other tasks will ensure he supervises the management to actualise on maritime safety,ensure a robust water transport system as well as shipbuilding and the full exploitation of the multi-Billion blue economy.
He is further expected to facilitate the improvement of maritime education and training as well as seafarer sea time through his leadership.
Speaking after officially taking over leadership duties from the outgoing chair,Hamisi Mwaguya,the former Wajir West legislator vowed to work closely with the board of management to steer the blue economy sector.
“I want to assure the management that we will help the institution grow,i personally come with a clean heart and mind and of course with an intention to improve the maritime sector,”said Kolosh.
During his first day in office,Kolosh was welcomed by KMA’s Board of Directors, and taken through a familiarization tour of the facility and later taken through the mandate and functions of the Authority by Julius Koech-the KMA’s Acting Director General.
“I am proud that we will push the vision of this institution much higher to achieve its intended goals,we know it’s a huge task,but we promise to work with everyone in this sector,”said Kolosh.
The colorful handover ceremony held at the KMA headquarters in Mombasa was graced by Principal Secretary,State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Geoffrey Kaituko.
The outgoing Chair Hamisi Mwaguya who served for two years boasted of having stered the organisation to greater heights including the development of the new strategic plan.
Mwaguya said his successor takes over the leadership from a formidable foundation he set during his tenure.Maguya helped KMA management to move from the Old KMA building without hitches.
“During my tenure we have managed success stories,we managed to ensure KMA moves to its new headquarters from the old building,establishment of various directorates of different departments as well as improving serious maritime training,”said Mwaguya.
The principal secretary asked the board to ensure seamless flow of management affairs in line with the guiding regulations of the Authority.Kaitoku asked the leadership of KMA to foster good working relationship,transparency and accountability.
“We welcome the new chairman with both hands and it’s our hope that he will help steer the agenda of the government by ensuring proper board decisions during his leadership,”said Kaituko.
Kolosh was appointed by President William Ruto through a gazette notice.
Kolosh will serve in the position of Chairperson for a period of three years.He served as Wajir West legislator from 2017-2022
