On 11 March 2026, Commander Kenya Navy, Major General Paul Otieno, received the crew of Kenya Navy Ship (KNS) JASIRI and KNS SHUPAVU after the successful completion of Exercise JITEGEMEE XXVII and Operation BAHARI MOJA. The reception ceremony was conducted at the Kenya Navy Fleet (KNF), Mkunguni Jetty.
The annual sea training cruise is a key component of the Kenya Navy’s long-standing tradition of preparing Junior Officers Under Training (JOUTs). Through demanding seagoing activities, the officers are able to apply and reinforce the theoretical knowledge and simulator-based training acquired at the Kenya Naval Training College.
During the cruise, the participating ships conducted port visits to Port Victoria in Seychelles, Port Louis in Mauritius and Diego Suarez in Madagascar. These visits strengthened regional maritime security cooperation while also advancing naval diplomacy among partner nations.
Kenya also led the inaugural multinational Operation BAHARI MOJA, which brought together the Seychelles Coast Guard, Seychelles Air Force, Mauritius National Coast Guard and Madagascar Navy to enhance maritime security across the Western Indian Ocean. The operation was conducted under the Safe Seas Africa programme and coordinated by the Regional Coordination and Operations Centre (RCOC) with information support from the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC).
Operation BAHARI MOJA built upon the success of Operation BAHARI SAFI which resulted in the interception and seizure of more than one tonne of methamphetamine in October 2025. The initiative underscored the importance of coordinated regional efforts in addressing maritime threats within the Western Indian Ocean.
While in Seychelles, the ships’ crew also participated in Exercise CUTLASS EXPRESS 2026 alongside partner navies and coast guards. The exercise provided an opportunity to strengthen interoperability, enhance cooperation and build mutual trust in support of regional peace and stability.
Speaking during the reception ceremony, Commander Kenya Navy commended the ships’ crew for their dedication and exemplary performance. He noted that the deployment represented a significant milestone in the professional development of the Junior Officers and encouraged them to continue upholding the Kenya Navy’s core values of professionalism, discipline and service.
“To our Junior Officers, this deployment marks an important milestone in your journey as naval leaders. The responsibilities you have undertaken and the lessons learned at sea will shape the commanders you will become. I encourage you to continue upholding the values of professionalism, discipline and service that define our uniform. I also commend the crews of our ships for their exemplary performance. Operating effectively in a complex and multinational maritime environment demands high standards of training, teamwork and dedication, ” said Commander Kenya Navy.
Commander Kenya Navy Fleet, Brigadier General Mohammed Shemote, thanked the Commander Kenya Navy for his continued support and expressed appreciation to the sailors’ families who attended the event. He acknowledged their patience, understanding and encouragement throughout the deployment, noting that their support contributed greatly to the success of the exercise and operation.
Senior Officer Afloat, Lieutenant Colonel Job Gitonga lauded the trainees and ships’ crew for maintaining high morale and professionalism throughout the deployment.
The training cruise also marked a significant moment for KNF Master At Arms Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Peter Mundia, who stood his final watch on board KNS JASIRI during the deployment. He is set to retire after 38 years of dedicated service to the Kenya Navy.
The successful completion of Exercise JITEGEMEE XXVII and Operation BAHARI MOJA demonstrates the Kenya Navy’s continued commitment to professional training, regional cooperation and the protection of Kenya’s maritime interests.
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