NAIROBI, Kenya, May 17 – Amb Nancy Karigithu, a marine expert serving as President Ruto’s advisor on maritime affairs, has officially announced her candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation.
Karigithu, who is endorses by the African Union (AU), is seeking to succeed the current Secretary-General, Kitack Lim from the Republic of South Korea, whose term concludes later in 2023.
“I strongly believe that with my experience in the maritime sector spanning over 36 years, I am in a position to become the next Secretary General of IMO. I have competency and attributes for this top UN position,” she said.
During the bid launch on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua emphasized President Ruto’s support, highlighting that Karigithu’s nomination holds significant importance in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
“I wish to restate Kenya’s commitment to the protection and promotion of our shared and common maritime security interests under international law that will allow for optimal exploitation of the blue economy. Amb. Karigithu’s candidature provides a firm, dependable and experienced safe pair of hands in this regard,” Mutua said.
Amb. Karigithu’s profile
As the Principal Secretary and Special Envoy for Maritime and Blue Economy, Karigithu expressed optimism that Africa and particularly female leaders will garner support from other regions.
If successful, Karigithu will be the first woman and African to hold the position in the worldwide organsation devoted to safety, security, and environmental protection in the maritime industry.
Others in the race are: Moin Uddin Ahmed (Bangladesh), Suat Hayri Aka (Turkey), Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco (Panama), Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (Dominica), Minna Kivimäki (Finland) and Zhang Xiaojie (China).
In her lengthy career in the marine sector, Karigithu has held several positions including a tenure as Director-General of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), State Counsel in Kenya’s State Law Office, Senior Legal Officer, and Assistant Corporation Secretary at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
She contributed to the development of the Merchant Shipping Act 2009, which gives KMA an oversight mandate over the maritime industry, during her tenure as Principal Secretary at the State Department of Shipping and Marine Affairs.
Karigithu also led Kenya’s efforts to enter the IMO’s whitelist, a coveted league that allows a country to train seafarers who can work in foreign-going vessels.
