In his remark, the Director highlighted that the programme is delivered in a blended format and draws participants from diverse backgrounds—including government officials, international personnel, and civilians. He emphasized that this diversity of experience and perspective greatly enriches the learning environment and should not be underestimated.

Major General Mwazighe encouraged the students to develop key competencies, particularly critical thinking, which is essential in crisis response and disaster management. He acknowledged that the academic journey may come with challenges but assured the participants of IPSTC’s commitment to supporting them and delivering a meaningful and high-quality learning experience.

He concluded by congratulating the cohorts on their admission and extended his best wishes for their success in the programme.

Also present was the Commandant Humanitarian Peace Support School Brigadier Mundui, Colonel incharge of Plans and Programmes Colonel Koech, Commandant Peace and Conflict Studies School Colonel Emma Ngigi, Head of Postgraduate School Colonel M Kimwele and the Head of Research Department Colonel C Lagat.

The five-day course is sponsored by the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to enhance participants’ knowledge, skills and attitudes on maritime security, ocean governance and the role of women in sustainable blue economy.

This is the first Kenya-only pilot course under the newly reviewed IMSSBEC curriculum. The curriculum was revised earlier this year with support from the Government of Japan through UNDP.

 

“The importance of maritime security and the sustainable blue economy cannot be overstated. Kenya's geostrategic position along the Indian Ocean, its economic reliance on maritime trade, and its ambitions in blue economy innovation place us at the heart of regional maritime conversations. Yet challenges—such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate risks, cyber threats, and limited interagency coordination—continue to threaten our maritime domain. Additionally, there is a pressing need to enhance gender representation and inclusion in maritime spaces, in line with national and international frameworks. This course, therefore, comes at a critical time,” emphasized Commandant Peace and Conflict Studies School, Colonel Emma Ngigi.

Over the next five days, participants will engage in lectures, case studies, group exercises, guided discussions, and scenario-based learning.

The training focuses on building participants’ capacity to respond to complex incidents through a structured, coordinated approach that enhances decision-making, communication, and collaboration across multiple agencies.

The Lead Facilitator, Mr. Amos Onchiri underscored the importance of enhancing participants’ understanding of the fundamental principles of the Incident Management System. He noted that a solid grasp of these principles is essential for ensuring a unified, coordinated, and effective response during emergencies.

In her remark, Ms. Belinda Micho, HR Manager AHF Africa Bureau, thanked HPSS for the collaboration and expressed AHF’s commitment to strengthening emergency response capacity across the region. She highlighted the importance of the IMS training in equipping participants with practical skills to respond effectively to crises.

The Deputy Commandant HPSS, Lt Col Kaptuway expressed appreciation to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for their continued support in capacity building efforts across the region. He emphasized that the course is both timely and critical, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively to public health emergencies, crises, and complex incidents.

The training not only provides a platform for knowledge and skill development but also fosters regional collaboration and mutual learning, strengthening the collective ability to respond to emergencies. As the course continues, it is expected to build lasting professional networks and enhance the participants’ capacity to implement effective incident management systems within their national contexts.