Senate Energy Committee Probes Kenya’s Oil Spill Response Capacity in Mombasa

The Senate Standing Committee on Energy, led by Chairperson Sen. Dr. Oburu Odinga, conducted a fact-finding mission in Mombasa on Friday to assess Kenya’s preparedness for managing oil pollution risks in its territorial waters and inland water bodies, including Lake Victoria.

The committee’s visit began at the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) headquarters, where they received a detailed briefing on oil spill contingency measures, recent incidents, and ongoing rescue operations. Dr. Oburu expressed satisfaction with KMA’s professionalism and their effective handling of recent spills. “Oil spills pose a significant threat to marine life and inland waters like Lake Victoria. We were impressed by KMA’s response strategies,” he said.

KMA Director General CPA Omae Nyarandi outlined Kenya’s multi-agency National Oil Spill Response System, which is activated during spill incidents. He highlighted two recent minor spills—one near Berth Number 3 at the Port of Mombasa and another near the Likoni channel—that were swiftly contained. Michael Mbaru, KMA’s Assistant Director for Marine Environment Protection, explained that responses are tailored to the spill type, using booms for containment and chemical dispersants for heavier oils. “Lighter spills are managed with skimmers, while dispersants break down heavy fuel oil,” Mbaru noted.

The committee also learned about KMA’s efforts to enhance maritime safety on Lake Victoria, including a major rescue center in Kisumu and plans for satellite stations across the lake region. “This development offers hope to Kenyans who rely on the lake for their livelihoods,” Dr. Oburu said.

Mbaru further informed the senators about a recent regional oil spill response drill hosted by Kenya, which tested national systems and identified areas for improvement. “We are now developing an action plan to address these gaps,” he added.

The Senate delegation also visited the Kenya Ports Authority to discuss port-level response capacity and maritime oil spill risks. The committee’s mission focuses on assessing oil tanker navigation routes, evaluating threats to the blue economy and marine ecosystems, reviewing international cooperation frameworks, and inspecting contingency planning for oil spill emergencies.

The visit underscores Kenya’s commitment to safeguarding its marine and inland water ecosystems while strengthening its capacity to respond to environmental threats.