MOMBASA, Kenya — Commander Kenya Navy Major General Paul Otieno has hosted the Italian Defence Attaché to Somalia, Captain (Navy) Antonino Mazzocca, at Kenya Navy Headquarters in Mtongwe, reinforcing Kenya Navy Italy maritime collaboration and regional security cooperation.
The visit on Wednesday highlighted the strengthening relationship between the two naval forces and created an avenue for further cooperation.
The Kenya Navy and Italy discussions centred on maritime security, joint training, operational interoperability, and information sharing as part of Maritime Domain Awareness.
Major General Otieno commended Italy for its sustained support, citing its role in shipbuilding, refit, armament, and training, as well as its participation in international naval exercises.
The Kenya Navy and Italy partnership has been bolstered by European Union support in strengthening operational effectiveness.
Kenya Navy Italy Future Collaboration
Otieno identified key areas for future Kenya Navy-Italy collaboration, including engagement through participation in the Djibouti Code of Conduct Working Group 3 and joint initiatives in counter-piracy operations and maritime domain awareness.
Captain Mazzocca reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to supporting maritime security efforts within the Western Indian Ocean through joint exercises and training initiatives.
The Kenya Navy and Italy’s cooperation addresses shared threats in a region critical to global shipping lanes.
The Kenya Navy Italy engagement aligns with Kenya’s constitutional foreign policy objectives under Article 2, which commits to peaceful international cooperation, and national security priorities under Article 238.
The Western Indian Ocean remains a strategic priority for Kenya as it seeks to secure maritime trade routes and combat transnational threats, including piracy, illegal fishing, and trafficking.
