MOMBASA, Kenya – President William Ruto on Saturday, December 14, 2024, joined the Kenya Navy in celebrating its 60th anniversary at the Mtongwe base in Mombasa.
The event highlighted the Navy’s role in safeguarding Kenya’s maritime borders and its contribution to regional security.
The ceremony began with a solemn moment of silence to honour fallen naval officers.
President Ruto then led wreath-laying at a commemorative tombstone etched with the names of those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Addressing the gathering, Ruto commended the Kenya Navy for its evolution over six decades into a modern, well-equipped force, capable of tackling emerging maritime security challenges.
He emphasized the Navy’s critical role in counter-piracy operations, rescuing missions along the coastline, and safeguarding maritime trade routes—key to Kenya’s economic stability.
“The Kenya Navy has been instrumental not only in protecting our borders but also in ensuring regional stability and participating in international peacekeeping efforts,” President Ruto said.
As part of the celebrations, officers showcased their operational capabilities during a tour of the base, reaffirming their commitment to modernization, training, and national defense readiness.
The event also featured performances by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)-affiliated schools and Navy officials, underscoring the military’s broader community role.
The Kenya Navy was established in 1964, shortly after independence, and has since grown into a pillar of national security.
Its efforts in curbing piracy in the Indian Ocean have earned global recognition, while its swift response in maritime emergencies continues to safeguard lives and trade.
Kenya Navy Commander Major General Paul Otieno Owuor, who assumed leadership earlier this year, attended the ceremony alongside senior military officials.
Major General Owuor, an alumnus of the Britannia Royal Naval College in the UK, has served in the military since 1987, rising through the ranks to lead one of Kenya’s most vital defense units.
The event highlighted the Navy’s role in safeguarding Kenya’s maritime borders and its contribution to regional security.
The ceremony began with a solemn moment of silence to honour fallen naval officers.
President Ruto then led wreath-laying at a commemorative tombstone etched with the names of those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Addressing the gathering, Ruto commended the Kenya Navy for its evolution over six decades into a modern, well-equipped force, capable of tackling emerging maritime security challenges.
He emphasized the Navy’s critical role in counter-piracy operations, rescuing missions along the coastline, and safeguarding maritime trade routes—key to Kenya’s economic stability.
“The Kenya Navy has been instrumental not only in protecting our borders but also in ensuring regional stability and participating in international peacekeeping efforts,” President Ruto said.
As part of the celebrations, officers showcased their operational capabilities during a tour of the base, reaffirming their commitment to modernization, training, and national defense readiness.
The event also featured performances by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)-affiliated schools and Navy officials, underscoring the military’s broader community role.
The Kenya Navy was established in 1964, shortly after independence, and has since grown into a pillar of national security.
Its efforts in curbing piracy in the Indian Ocean have earned global recognition, while its swift response in maritime emergencies continues to safeguard lives and trade.
Kenya Navy Commander Major General Paul Otieno Owuor, who assumed leadership earlier this year, attended the ceremony alongside senior military officials.
Major General Owuor, an alumnus of the Britannia Royal Naval College in the UK, has served in the military since 1987, rising through the ranks to lead one of Kenya’s most vital defense units.
