By John Ndegwa / BMA
Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) is hosting this year’s Kenya – Operation Southern Readiness (K – OSR 26) maritime security training, a multinational exercise jointly conducted by the Kenya Navy and Combined Task Force 154. The four – day training has brought together representatives from 47 countries, underscoring Kenya’s growing role as a regional hub for maritime security cooperation.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, BMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Katana expressed pride in Kenya hosting the prestigious maritime security event for the first time at Bandari Maritime Academy. He noted that the selection of BMA as the host institution reflects confidence in the Academy’s training capacity, modern facilities, and strategic positioning within the Western Indian Ocean region.
Dr. Katana emphasized that Kenya – Operation Southern Readiness embodies the spirit of cooperation, preparedness, and collective responsibility, which are critical in addressing contemporary maritime security challenges. He added that such collaboration contributes to a secure and stable maritime environment where lawful trade, safe navigation, and the sustainable use of ocean resources can thrive.
Kenya Navy Commander, KN Base Mtongwe, Brigadier William Kiprotich, highlighted the importance of multinational exercises in enhancing interoperability, information sharing, and joint operational readiness among partner nations.
Commander Combined Task Force 154, Commodore Andrea Bielli, reaffirmed the Task Force’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and capacity building among participating nations. He underscored that K – OSR 2026 provides a critical platform for exchanging best practices, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and fostering trust among navies and maritime agencies from across the globe.
