KENYA NAVY TRAINING CRUISE COMES TO A CLOSE

The Commander Kenya Navy Major General Jimson Mutai on 22 March 2022 presided over the reception of Exercise Jitegemee XXIII Sea Training crew at the Kenya Navy Fleet (KNF) Mkunguni jetty in Mtongwe, Mombasa County.

Receiving the crew, Major General Mutai commended the team for successfully completing the Training Cruise adding that the training marks a great milestone in shaping the careers of the Officers and Sailors.

“This training cruise is a prerequisite for every Seaman for it provides a training platform for the Officers and Sailors onboard the Kenya Navy Ships. The skills you have acquired during this training cruise should make you a better and competent sailor ready to carry out ships’ operations professionally. The best form of welfare for the troops is fast rate training and therefore it is the responsibility of the Commanders at different levels to ensure that Kenya Navy personnel are continuously trained to enhance our capability and remain mission-ready,’’ said the Commander Kenya Navy.

The Commander Kenya Navy Fleet Brigadier John Kiswaa said that the success of the Training Cruise was as a result of adequate preparations of both the personnel and the Ships prior to the Cruise. He urged the crew to always adequately prepare for duty through continuous training.

‘’With the many evolutions you have undertaken during the voyage, I have no doubt that you have acquired skills to make you competent Seamen. However, training has to continue in order to effectively counter the ever-changing maritime threats,’’ said Brigadier Kiswaa.

The Officer of Tactical Command (OTC) Lieutenant Colonel Collins Owino noted that the trainees demonstrated both devotion and dedication to duty while executing their tasks throughout the Cruise proving to be reliable Kenya Navy Commanders as well as Seamen. He urged the trainees to remain focused and apply all the skills they had acquired during the cruise in their careers at the Kenya Navy.

The crew, made up of Junior Officers Under Training (JOUTS) and Sailors, underwent a one-month Sea Training Cruise after the completion of theoretical classwork at the Kenya Naval Training College.

The Sea Training Cruise is aimed at adequately equipping the Kenya Navy Officers and Sailors with practical sea experience and ship handling skills to enable them handle ships’ operations competently and conduct maritime operations effectively.

The Training Cruise is also an opportunity for the Kenya Navy Ships (KNS) to conduct ports of call to selected ports. During this year’s Training Cruise, KNS JASIRI and KNS SHUJAA visited the Port of Victoria in Seychelles, Port of Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) in Madagascar and the Dar es Salaam Port.

Present during the reception ceremony were the Commander Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe Brig Yahya Abdi, Headquarters Kenya Navy Chief of Personnel Colonel Guyo Dido, Headquarters Kenya Navy Chief of Operations Colonel Michael Atodonyang, Headquarters Kenya Navy Chief of Logistics Colonel John Khaoya among other Kenya Navy Officers and Service Members.