MOMBASA, Kenya — The Kenyan Navy has been granted authority to take over the management and safeguarding of the vessel MV Igor, also known as Mashaallah, after the High Court issued a preservation order barring any dealings with the boat as investigations continue into its ownership and possible links to criminal activity.
The order was issued on Thursday, December 11, 2025, by Deputy Registrar Evelyn Gaithuma of the High Court’s Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division following an application by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
Under the ruling, the Commander of the Kenya Navy was directed to assume control of the vessel and ensure it is preserved while the court process runs its course.
The ship was seized on October 20, 2025, and is currently being held at the Kenya Navy base in Mtongwe, Mombasa County.
The court order also places strict limits on any parties linked to the boat, which, according to investigators, does not have a registered owner.
“THAT this Honourable Court be pleased to issue a preservation order restraining the Interested Party, his employees, agents and/or representatives acting on his behalf, prohibiting the sale, transfer or disposing off or other dealings with the boat MV Igor christened as ‘MASHAALLAH’ which has no registered owner and currently in the custody of Kenya Navy Mtongwe,” the order read.
In addition to the Navy’s custodial role, the court directed the Director-General of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) to restrict the movement of the vessel, effectively grounding it within Kenyan jurisdiction.
ARA, which is mandated to trace, freeze, and recover assets suspected to be proceeds of crime, moved to court after investigators raised red flags over the ownership and operational history of the vessel.
Under POCAMLA, courts are empowered to preserve property believed to be linked to criminal activity to prevent suspects from dissipating or concealing assets before a final determination.
The involvement of the Kenyan Navy reflects the security dimension of the case. In Kenyan waters, naval forces take over vessels when they are suspected of being used for serious crimes such as smuggling, piracy, terrorism financing, or transnational organised crime.
The seizure of MV Igor comes against the backdrop of heightened maritime surveillance in the Western Indian Ocean.
Just four months ago, Kenyan security agencies intercepted another vessel suspected of ferrying narcotics, in an operation involving the Navy, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Kenya Coast Guard Service, and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
That boat, carrying six Iranian nationals, was intercepted on Saturday, October 26, 2025, approximately 630 kilometres east of the coast of Mombasa. Authorities said it was ferrying drugs valued at more than Sh8 billion before being escorted to port.
DCI Director Mohamed Amin said at the time that the vessel had been placed under surveillance after Kenyan authorities received alerts from regional and international partners about a suspicious ship operating in the Western Indian Ocean.
After its impoundment, investigators obtained a court order to search and inspect its contents.
The court-sanctioned takeover ensures the boat cannot be moved, sold, or tampered with, protecting the integrity of any future forfeiture or criminal proceedings.
