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.

The Chief Guest, Colonel Orina, Commander of the Military Police Corps, presided over the ceremony. In his keynote address, Colonel Orina emphasized the critical role of military police in today’s dynamic security environment, highlighting the importance of professionalism, precision, and vigilance in protective service operations.

The course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to effectively carry out protective service operations. It aims to enhance their overall preparedness and operational effectiveness in handling security responsibilities with a high level of professionalism.