BY John Ndegwa/ BMA
Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) showcased its expanding role in Kenya’s Blue Economy at the 9th Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, aligning Maritime training with county-led development priorities. The Academy, led by CEO Dr. Eric Katana, positioned skills development, sea-time placement, and industry partnerships as critical enablers for inclusive growth along Kenya’s coastline and inland waterways.
Opened by H.E. President William Ruto, the conference underscored the fiscal and policy foundations of devolution, noting substantial transfers to counties to advance equitable service delivery. Within this context, BMA highlighted how Maritime competencies ranging from port operations and logistics to marine engineering and safety can translate devolution’s resources into jobs, enterprise opportunities and stronger county value chains.
BMA officials engaged county leadership, development partners and private-sector actors on collaborative pipelines: curriculum alignment to county needs; structured trainings and sea-time access for cadets and joint programs in Maritime safety.
The Academy also emphasized pathways for youth and women, proposing targeted bursaries and modular upskilling to accelerate employability for underserved groups.
By linking training outcomes to county priorities port efficiency, cold-chain logistics for fisheries, safer near-shore transport and blue innovation.
BMA presented a pragmatic model for shared prosperity. Next steps include formalizing county academy work plans, expanding industry placements and scaling short courses to meet immediate skills gaps.
