View source for Kenya Navy

{{Short description|Naval branch of Kenya Defence Forces}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}{{Use Kenyan English|date = November 2023}}

{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Kenyan Navy
| native_name= {{lang|sw|Jeshi la Wanamaji}}
| image                         =
| caption                       = Coat of Arms of the Kenya Navy
| start_date                    = {{start date and age|1964}}
| dates                         = 
| country                       = {{flagu|Kenya}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = Navy
| role                          = 
| size                          = 
| command_structure             = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Kenya Defence Forces.svg|size=23px}} [[Kenya Defence Forces]]
| garrison                      = [[Mombasa]], Kenya
| garrison_label                = Command Headquarters
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         =  {{lang|sw|Ujasiri Baharini}}
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = [[Operation Linda Nchi]] (2011-12)

*[[African Union Mission in Somalia]]
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = <!-- Commanders -->
| commander1                    = [[President (government title)|President]] [[Dr.]] [[William Samoei Ruto]]
| commander1_label              = [[Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2                    = [[Major General]] Paul Owuor Otieno
| commander2_label              = [[Commander, Kenya Navy]]
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Naval Ensign of Kenya.svg|200px|border]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Naval ensign
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Presidential Colour of the Kenyan Navy.svg|border|200px|alt=Presidential Colour of the Navy]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Presidential color
}}

The '''Kenya Navy''' is the [[navy|naval]] branch of the [[Kenya Defence Forces]]. It is headquartered in [[Mombasa]].

Kenya Navy has two major bases for its fleet with it being headquartered in Mtongwe Naval Base, [[Mombasa]] and Manda Bay (part of [[Lamu Archipelago]]) being the second naval base.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/kenya-upgrades-manda-bay-station-as-second-naval-base-3562196?|title=Kenya upgrades Manda Bay Station as second naval base, lookout point|date=25 September 2021 }}</ref> The navy also operates naval stations in [[Shimoni]], [[Msambweni]], [[Malindi]] and [[Kilifi County|Kilifi]]. The Kenya Navy fleet is organized into two fighting squadrons and a logistical support squadron, namely the pioneer 66 Squadron, the 76 Squadron and the 86 Squadron all supported by a Special Operations Squadron, the Fleet Maintenance Unit and a newly formed elite Marine Ranger Regiment.

== History ==
As [[Great Britain]] wound down her colonial control in East Africa, the [[Royal East African Navy]] (REAN) was established in 1953, covering [[Kenya Colony]], [[Tanganyika (territory)|Tanganyika]] and [[Zanzibar]].<ref>[http://www.mod.go.ke/Navysite/history.htm Kenya Navy: History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219095248/http://www.mod.go.ke/Navysite/history.htm |date=19 February 2008 }}</ref> Following the disbanding of the REAN in 1962, the [[East African Railways and Harbours Corporation]] assumed control of naval operations in the former colonies until the independent states were ready to establish their own navies.<ref>[http://www.mod.go.ke/Navysite/history.htm History of the Kenyan Navy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219095248/http://www.mod.go.ke/Navysite/history.htm |date=19 February 2008}}</ref> The Kenyan Navy was established on 12 December 1964, exactly one year after [[Kenya]] gained independence.

In 1976, the Second Squadron, made up of the missile boats KNS ''Madaraka,'' KNS ''Jamhuri'' and KNS ''Harambee'' left [[Portsmouth]] to sail to Kenya, arriving later that year. In late August 1976, during the delivery voyage, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi was approached to request assistance for two of the patrol boats, off the Somali coast and not having "enough fuel to reach Mombasa."{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
[[File:KNSMadaraka.jpg|thumb|250px|KNS ''Madaraka'' out at sea]]
In 1972, [[Major JCJ Kimaro]] was promoted to [[lieutenant colonel]] by President [[Jomo Kenyatta]] and appointed as the first commander of the Kenyan Navy. He died in a road accident in 1978 and [[Major General]] [[Eliud Mbilu]] took over command until his retirement in 1988 when [[Brigadier Joseph Kibwana]] was promoted to [[major general]].

In 2010 it was reported that the [[United States Navy]] [[Naval Special Warfare Group 4]] was assisting the creation of a new Kenyan Special Boat Unit within the Kenya Navy.<ref name="whittenberger">Whittenberger, Chief Mass Communication Specialist Kathryn. "Naval Special Warfare Assists in Building Kenyan Special Boat Unit." The U.S. Navy. N.p., 10 June 2010. Web. 2 July 2010. <[https://web.archive.org/web/20110629213727/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=53967]>.</ref>

On 4 September 2012 the Kenyan Navy shelled the [[Somalia|Somali]] city of [[Kismayo]]. This was part of an [[African Union]] offensive to capture the city from [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|al-Shabab]] fighters during the [[Somali Civil War (2009–present)|War in Somalia]]. The harbour was shelled twice and the airport three times. According to a UN report the export of charcoal through Kismayo is a major source of income for al-Shabab.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 September 2012 |date=4 September 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19478434 |title=Kenya's navy shells Kismayo in Somalia}}</ref>

== Commanders of the Kenya Navy ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan=2| {{Abbr|No.|Number}}
!
! rowspan="2" | Name
! colspan=3| Term of office
! rowspan=2| {{Abbr|Ref.|Refences}}
|-
!Official Portrait
! Took office
! Left office
! Time in office
|-
| 1
| 
| Commander<br />'''E. M. C. Walker'''
| 10 Dec 1964
| 31 Jul 1967
| {{ayd|1964|12|10|1967|07|31}}
| 
|-
| 2
| 
| Commander<br />'''Anthony Allen Pearse'''
| 1 Aug 1967
| 1 Oct 1969
| {{ayd|1967|08|01|1969|10|01}}
| 
|-
| 3
| 
| Commander<br />'''W. A. E. Hall'''
| 2 Oct 1969
| 31 Oct 1972
| {{ayd|1969|10|02|1972|10|31}}
| 
|-
| 4
| 
| Lieutenant colonel<br />'''James Collins J. Kimaro'''
| 1 Nov 1972
| 11 Feb 1978
| {{ayd|1972|11|01|1978|02|11}}
| 
|-
|5
| 
| Major General<br />'''[[Eliud Mbilu|Eliud Simon Mbilu]]'''
| 12 Feb 1978
| 1 Apr 1988
| {{ayd|1978|02|12|1988|04|01}}
| 
|-
| 6
| 
| Major General<br />'''Joseph Raymond Edward Kibwana'''
| 2 Apr 1988
| 1 May 1998
| {{ayd|1988|04|02|1998|05|01}}
| 
|-
| 7
| 
| Major General<br />'''Aboud Abdalla Rafrouf '''
| 2 May 1998
| 30 Nov 2001
| {{ayd|1998|05|02|2001|11|30}}
| 
|-
| 8
| 
| Major General<br />'''Pastor Omudho Awitta''', {{small|MGH, EBS}}
| 1 Dec 2001
| 26 Jul 2006
| {{ayd|2001|12|01|2006|07|26}}
| 
|-
| 9
| 
| Major General<br />'''Samson Jefwa Mwathethe''', {{small|EGH, MBS, DCO, 'ndc' (K) 'psc' (UK)}}
| 27 Jul 2006
| 12 Jul 2011
| {{ayd|2006|07|27|2011|07|12}}
| 
|-
| 10
| 
| Major General<br />'''Ngewa Mukala''', 
{{small|MGH, EBS, DCO 'ndc' (K), 'psc'(K)}}
| 13 Jul 2011
| 10 Aug 2015
| {{ayd|2011|07|13|2015|08|10}}
| 
|-
| 11
| 
| Major General<br />'''Levi Franklin Mghalu''', 
{{small|MGH, MBS, 'ndc' (K), 'psn' (RSA)}}
| 11 Aug 2015
| 11 May 2020
| {{ayd|2015|08|11|2020|05|05}}
| 
|-
| 12
| 
| Major General<br />'''Jimson Longiro Mutai''', 
{{small|MGH, MBS 'ndc'(K) 'psc'(K)}}
| 12 May 2020
| ''8 March''
2024
| {{ayd|2020|05|12}}
| 
|-
|13
| 
|Major general
'''Thomas Njoroge Nganga'''

EBS HSC ‘ndu’ ‘psc'(USA)  <ref>{{Citation |title=Swearing-in of the Kenya Defence Forces Vice Chief and Service Commanders, State House, Nairobi. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4oPg-L4MBs |access-date=2024-03-09 |language=en}}</ref>
|8 March
2024
|02 May 2024
|56 days
|
|-
| 14
| 
| Major General<br />'''Paul Owuor Otieno''' 
EBS ‘ndc’(K) ‘psc'(K)
| 2 May 2024
| incumbent
| 
|}

== Fleet ==

=== Current Vessels ===
[[File:KNS Shujaa-KNS Nyayo.jpg|thumb|250px|KNS ''Shujaa'' and KNS ''Nyayo'' during India's International Fleet Review.]]

*  ''Jasiri,'' survey ship and offshore patrol vessel, Gondan shipyard Spain.<ref name="defenceweb1">{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23341:kenya-to-receive-long-delayed-offshore-patrol-vessel-kns-jasiri&catid=51:Sea&Itemid=106|title=Defence Web|author=Guy Martin|date=9 February 2012 }}</ref>
** [[Kenyan offshore patrol craft Jasiri|KNS ''Jasiri'']] (P3124) 
: Built as a '''Jasiri Class''' oceanographic survey vessel at a cost of Sh4.1 billion.<ref name="defenceweb1"/> Given to Euromarine, a company associated with Anura Pereira, the tender was awarded irregularly, as part of the [[Anglo-Leasing scandal]]. Military analysts say a similar vessel could have been built for Sh1.8 billion.<ref>See also [https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/36409113/navy-storyindd-mars-group-kenya-publications]; [https://nation.africa/news/Anglo-Leasing--navy-ship-set-for-Kibaki-launch/1056-1484492-format-xhtml-jxsiln/index.html], and {{Cite web |date=2014-03-08 |title=Kenya's Corruption Scandals |url=http://kenyaconfidential.com/2019/10/29/the-litany-of-corruption-in-kenya/ |access-date=2020-05-27 |website=Samwagik™ |language=en}}</ref> Later fitted with armament at the navy's Mkunguni dockyard. Commissioned into the navy on 29 August 2012. It currently is the largest vessel in the fleet. It is 85 meters long, displaces 1400 tonnes, and has a maximum crew of 81.<ref name="defenceweb1"/>

* '''P400 Class''' [[offshore patrol vessel]]
** [[Kenyan patrol vessel Harambee II|KNS ''Harambee II'']] (P3134) 
: Former French [[P400 class patrol vessel]] ''La Rieuse''. Donated by France for anti-piracy patrols .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=116446 |title=Mer et Marine: "La Rieuse officiellement cédée à la marine kényane" |work=Mer et Marine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813065514/http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=116446 |archive-date=13 August 2011 }}</ref>

* '''Shupavu Class''' large [[patrol boat]]s, Gondan shipyard Spain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gondan.com/en/component/djcatalog2/items/17?limitstart=0&order=i.ordering&dir=asc#tlb|title=Astilleros Gondán :: Patrolboat}}</ref>
** P3129 KNS ''Shujaa''
** P3130 KNS ''Shupavu''
: Built to civilian standards in 1997 and entered service in 1997. Armed with a 76mm and a 30mm gun in Kenya.<ref name="Jane's Fighting Ships 2008"/>

* '''Nyayo Class''' [[missile boat]]s
** P3126 KNS ''Nyayo''
** P3127 KNS ''Umoja''
: Built by [[Vosper Thornycroft]], these are similar to the Omani Province class, and were delivered in 1987.<ref name="Jane's Fighting Ships 2008"/><ref name="forces"/> Armed with 4 [[Otomat]] SSM, 1 76&nbsp;mm OTO DP, 1 dual 30&nbsp;mm AA, 2 20&nbsp;mm [[machine gun]]s<ref name="Kenya1"/> From March 2009 to July 2011 these ships underwent an extensive refit at [[Fincantieri]]'s [[Muggiano]] shipyard in northern Italy, during which their surface-to-surface missile (SSM) systems were removed, drastically reducing the vessels to an OPV configuration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Naval-Construction-and-Retrofit-Markets/Kenya-Kenya.html|title=Jane's: "Kenya (Kenya), The market – Procurement and upgrades"}}</ref> Ships of this class are 57 meters long, displace 450 tonnes and have a crew of 45.<ref name="defenceweb1"/>

* '''Madaraka Class''' small missile boats
** P3100 KNS ''Mamba'' – classed as '''Mamba Class'''
** (For three other boats see retired Madaraka Class boats below)
: Delivered from 1974–1976 (''Mamba'' was delivered in 1976) and built by [[Brooke Marine]] along with three others of the class.<ref name="google">[http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php?Number=475576 Google earth placemarks: Kenya Navy]{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> KNS ''Mamba'' has a non-functioning missile system and is currently used as an OPV. Remainder of the class decommissioned<ref name="Jane's Fighting Ships 2008">Jane's Fighting Ships 2008</ref><ref name="nationaudio.com">Daily Nation, 7 March 2002: [http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/07032002/Business/Business58.html Naval vessels, spare parts to be sold]</ref> and placed in reserve status.<ref name="Kenya1">[http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/africa/africa.htm Kenya]</ref> Formerly armed with 4 Gabriel SSM, 1 dual 30&nbsp;mm AA.<ref name="Kenya1"/>

* '''Galana Class/River Class''' medium [[landing ship]] (LSM) /[[coastal logistics ship]]s
** L39 KNS ''Tana''
** L38 KNS ''Galana''
: Built by Construnaves-CEN, Gondan, Spain and delivered in December 1993 from Spain and entered service in 1994.<ref name="memorable">[http://www.mod.go.ke/Navysite/memorable2.htm Kenya Navy: Memorable events] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070701161234/http://www.mod.go.ke/Navysite/memorable2.htm |date=1 July 2007 }}</ref><ref name="Jane's Fighting Ships 2008"/> Used for logistics.<ref name="Kenya1"/> These ships are unarmed and used for amphibious warfare.

* '''Archangel class''' RHIB (jet boat)<ref>[http://www.safeboats.com/default/boats_dynamic_sections.php?section=jet Archangel Class] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220230214/http://www.safeboats.com/default/boats_dynamic_sections.php?section=jet |date=20 December 2008 }}</ref>
** 1 – 12-metre IPV
: Built by [[SAFE Boats International]] and donated by the USA in 2006 to reduce gun and drug running.<ref name="Jane's Fighting Ships 2008"/>

* '''USGS Defender Class''' RHIB with outboard motors<ref>[http://www.safeboats.com/default/boats_dynamic_sections.php?section=outboard Defender Class] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715223342/http://www.safeboats.com/default/boats_dynamic_sections.php?section=outboard |date=15 July 2011 }}</ref>
** 5 – 7-metre IPVs were built by [[SAFE Boats International]] and donated by the US in 2006 to reduce gun and drug running.<ref name="Jane's Fighting Ships 2008"/>
* '''P101 Class''' IPVs
** P943
** P944
** P945
** P946
** P947
: These ex-[[Spanish Navy]] patrol boats were built by ARESA (Arenys del Mar, Barcelona) from 1978 to 1982 and procured by Kenya in 1995. Each is 12m long, with a top speed of 16kts, and armed with a 12.7mm machine gun.<ref name="Jane's Fighting Ships 2008"/>

* '''Personnel Tenders'''
: Two built by [[Cowes]] in 1998. Each can carry 136 passengers.<ref name="Jane's Fighting Ships 2008"/>

* '''YTB''' Harbour Tug
** KNS ''Ngamia''
: Built by James Lamont, Port Glasgow in 1969 for Mombasa Port Authority and transferred to the navy in 1983.

Four 10 Meter Metal Shark RHIBs powered by twin 300 horsepower Yamaha outboard engines. Donated by US Navy in June 2015.

=== Past Vessels ===
The Kenya navy has replaced many older vessels from the navy's early years, mostly transfers from the [[Royal East African Navy]] via the [[Royal Navy]].

* [[Ford class seaward defence boat]]
** KNS ''Nyati''
: Donated by the [[Royal Navy]] in 1964 and used as a training vessel. It was formerly known [[HMS Aberford|HMS ''Aberford'']].<ref name="forces">Daily Nation, Saturday Magazine, 28 August 1999: [http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/280899/Features/story1.html An introduction to the marine forces]</ref> It was sold for scrap in 1971.

* [[Vosper Thornycroft]] 110' training craft
: Training craft was retired in 2000.

* '''[[Simba Class]]''' patrol crafts (from the UK)
** P3110 KNS ''Simba'' – retired 2000
** P3111 KNS ''Chui''
** P3112 KNS ''Ndovu''
: These boats were delivered from Britain in 1966. These ships were built by [[Vosper Thornycroft]]. KNS ''Simba'' was decommissioned in 1997.<ref name="museum">[http://www.mod.go.ke/Navysite/museum.htm Kenya Navy: Online museum] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305051226/http://www.mod.go.ke/Navysite/museum.htm |date=5 March 2016 }}</ref>

* '''Madaraka Class''' [[missile boat]]s (UK)
** P3122 KNS ''Jamhuri''
** P3123 KNS ''Harambee''
** P3121 KNS ''Madaraka''
: These missile boats were delivered in 1976 along with KNS ''Mamba'', and were built by [[Brooke Marine]].<ref name="google"/> KNS ''Madaraka'' was decommissioned in 2000, and KNS ''Jamhuri'' and KNS ''Harambee'' in 2002.<ref name="Jane's Fighting Ships 2008"/><ref name="nationaudio.com"/>

==Special Operations Squadron==
The Kenya Navy at the turn of the 21st Century took keen interest at developing specialized units within its ranks to handle emerging threats such as terrorism, drug running and piracy. This led to the establishment of a Special Operations Squadron (SOS) to provide an entity similar to the [[Army Special Operations Brigade (Kenya)]], that is to provide a unified command structure for its various special units.

The Special Boat Unit (SBU) was built up with assistance from the U.S. Navy through its [[Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen]] (SWCC) personnel in 2010 and continues to enjoy joint training exercises with the U.S. military.<ref>[https://mod.go.ke/news-releases/success-of-the-kenya-navy-and-us-special-forces-joint-combined-training/ Success Of The Kenya Navy And Us Special Forces Joint Combined Training – Ministry Of Defence – Kenya<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It is tasked with predominantly patrolling the northern coastline near the Somali border at Kiunga and is based at the revamped Manda Naval Base near Lamu. They are known to possess Defender-Class response boats for rapid high seas interdictions and patrols. 
[[File:US Navy 100322-N-4205W-036 Members of the Kenya Special Boat Unit prepare to swim ashore to evacuate injured personnel during a simulated mass casualty drill.jpg|thumb|250px| Members of the Special Boat Unit in a simulated mass casualty drill]]
The Clearance Diving Unit (CDU) formerly known as the Ships Diving Section is an older unit that trains combat divers for the navy. Members are trained in deep sea diving, beach surveying, explosive ordnance disposal and parachute dropping.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://intelligencebriefs.com/kenya-navy-ships-diving-section-sds-changes-name-to-clearance-diving-unit-cdu/ |title=Kenya Navy Ships Diving Section (SDS) Changes Name to Clearance Diving Unit (CDU) |first=Goodman |last=David |date=11 May 2015 |website=intelligencebriefs.com}}</ref> They are thought to be headquartered at the main naval base in Mtongwe, Mombasa. The Kenya Navy has also taken steps in developing a naval infantry force to supplement the work of these special units,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/mombasa/kenya-toughens-sea-warfare-team-with-more-marine-commandos-2024678 |title=Kenya toughens sea warfare team with more marine commandos |date=15 September 2020 |website=nation.africa}}</ref> it is assumed that this new force will be modelled along the lines of other naval marines.

== Ranks ==
{{main|Military ranks of Kenya}}
The names of ranks in the Kenya Navy are army-style, rather than traditional [[Royal Navy]]-derived usage as in the remainder of the Commonwealth.

===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Kenya}}
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Kenya}}
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite book|author= Commander Anthony Pearse|title=From Stormy Seas to Calmer Waters: Sailor at Sea, Salesman Ashore |publisher=Brewin Books|isbn=978-1858584270 |date= March 2008}} "appointed to head a Training team in Kenya whilst on loan to President Kenyatta as Commander in Chief of the emerging Kenya Navy – and in the time of the Cold War finding himself entertaining the Russian Admiral in command of a visiting missile squadron."[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stormy-Seas-Calmer-Waters-Salesman/dp/1858584272]

== External links ==
* https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001426229/eyes-on-navy-as-kenya-takes-tough-stance-on-somalia and the Kenya Navy A 50 Year Voyage Official Commemorative Publication of the Golden Jubilee. 
* [http://kn.mod.go.ke/ Kenya Navy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526001158/http://kn.mod.go.ke/ |date=26 May 2014 }}
* [http://www.mccrow.org.uk/EastAfrica/EAWarships/RNEastAf.htm British Warships in East Africa – 1950–65]
* [https://search.wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1974NAIROB04604_b.html financial/procurement course request to U.S. Embassy Nairobi, 1974]

{{Military of Kenya}}
{{Navies in Africa}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Military of Kenya|Navy]]
[[Category:Navies by country]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1964]]
[[Category:Government agencies of Kenya|Navy]]