Youth participating in the Youth Leadership Summit during the 11th Our Ocean Conference 2026 at Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort, Mombasa, have called on the leadership of Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) and the Government of Kenya to establish regional campuses across the country’s eight regions to increase access to maritime education and training.
The youth, drawn from different parts of the country, noted that the absence of regional BMA campuses limits opportunities for many aspiring maritime professionals, especially those from remote areas seeking to pursue careers in the maritime sector and Blue Economy.
“We need maritime training opportunities to be brought closer to the people. Establishing regional campuses will enable more young Kenyans to acquire the skills needed in the growing Blue Economy,” Joshua Ekitela, a youth from Turkan County said.
They further highlighted that the increasing demand for maritime skills requires greater investment in training institutions and infrastructure, urging the government to allocate adequate resources to support the Academy’s expansion plans.
The youth also observed that admission into BMA remains highly competitive due to the growing interest in maritime careers and the limited spaces available for training.
The participants expressed confidence that expanding BMA’s presence across the country would not only improve access to maritime education but also help build the skilled workforce needed to drive Kenya’s Blue Economy agenda forward.
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