Kenya Navy is the youngest of all the Kenya Defence Forces arms. It was founded after independence with the help of the British government and was to be set up in the then Royal Naval Armament.
The Kenya was officially inaugurated by the first President of Kenya Mzee Jomo Kenyatta on Dec 12, 1964 but launched on the 16th of the same month with the president terming it as the completion of the Kenyan Defence pattern.
The first training ship was loaned to the navy by the Royal Army and was later renamed KN S Nyati. The navy operated by seamen on loan until 1966 when the first midshipmen reported on duty.
The Kenya Navy has its headquarters in Mombasa with bases at Mtongwe, Shimoni, Msambweni, Malindi and Kilifi. The Navy’s role is to protect the nation from external threat from the sea, protect the state’s territorial waters as well as provide support to other security agencies.
Since Kenya does not experience much of sea threats, the navy has provided assistance both locally and internationally.
Thee Kenya Navy was particularly applauded for its role in the capture of the port City of Kismayu which was the heart of the al-Shabaab terrorist group. The navy acted as a launch platform for the KDF troops in the major Operation Linda Nchi Operation.
Some of the notable achievements by the Navy include; Kismayu conquest, rescue team at the sunken MV Mtongwe ferry, salvage of an National Youth Service vehicle at Garissa Bridge, search of weapons sunken in the Rongai dam in Nakuru among others.
The current Kenya Navy commander is Maj. General Ngewa Mukala.
