Kenya Navy
Encyclopedia
Kenya Navy is the naval
branch of Kenyan military forces
. It is headquartered in Mombasa
. Kenya Navy was established on December 12, 1964, exactly one year after Kenya
gained independence. It was preceded by the colonial Royal East African Navy
. Following the disbanding of the REAN in 1962, the East African Railways and Harbours Co-operations assumed control of naval operations in the former East African colonies until the independent states established their own navies.
In 1972 At State House, Mombasa
, Major JCJ Kimaro is promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
by the HE President Jomo Kenyatta
and appointed as the first commander of the Kenyan Navy. He died in a tragic road accident in 1978 and Major General E S Mbilu took over the command of the Kenya Navy until his retirement in 1988 where, Brigadier JRE Kibwana is promoted to Major General
and appointed the Navy Commander replacing Major General
E S Mbilu.
Kenya Navy has Mtongwe base in Mombasa, Shimoni, Msambweni, Malindi, Kilifi and since 1995 another base located in Manda
(part of Lamu Archipelago).
Officer ranks
Delivered from 1974-1976 (Mamba was delivered in 1976) and built by Brooke Marine
along with three others of the class. KNS Mamba has a non-functioning missile system and is currently used as an OPV, remained of the class decommissioned and placed in reserve status. Armed with 4 Gabriel SSM, 1 dual 30 mm AA.
March 2009 to July 2011 in refit at Fincantieri
's Muggiano shipyard in northern Italy
.
Built by Vosper Thornycroft these missile boat
s were originally Province Class and were delivered in 1987. Similar to Omani Province class and due a refit soon. Armed with 4 Otomat SSM, 1 76 mm OTO DP, 1 dual 30 mm AA, 2 20 mm machine guns
Built to civilian standards in 1997 and entered service in 1997. Armed with a 76mm and a 30mm gun in Kenya.
Built by Construnaves-CEN, Gondan, Spain and delivered in December 1993 from Spain
and entered service in 1994. Used for logistics. These ships are unarmed and used for amphibious warfare.
Built by SAFE Boats International and donated by the USA in 2006 to reduce gun and drug running.
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.
2 built by Cowes
in 1998, each can carry 136 passengers.
Built by James Lamont, Port Glasgow in 1969 for Mombasa Port Authority and transferred to the navy in 1983.
Ordered in 2003 but not accepted due to problems. Problems have been corrected and the ship now awaits delivery in the port of Sada
, Spain
. The ship is well armed enough to also function as an offshore patrol vessel.
via the Royal Navy
.
Training vessel was donated by the Royal Navy
in 1964. It was formerly known HMS Aberford
. It was sold for scrapping in 1971.
Training craft was retired in 2000.
These boats were delivered from Britain in 1966. These ships were built by Vosper Thornycroft. KNS Simba was decommissioned in 1997.
These missile boats were delivered in 1976 along with KNS Mamba, and were built by Brooke Marine
. KNS Madaraka was decommissioned in 2000, and KNS Jamhuri and KNS Harambee in 2002.
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
branch of Kenyan military forces
Military of Kenya
The Kenya Defence Forces are the armed forces of the Republic of Kenya. The Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and Kenya Air Force comprise the national Defence Forces. The current Kenya Defence Forces were established, and its composition laid out, in Article 241 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya...
. It is headquartered in Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
. Kenya Navy was established on December 12, 1964, exactly one year after Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
gained independence. It was preceded by the colonial Royal East African Navy
Royal East African Navy
Royal East African Navy was a naval force of the former British colonies of Kenya, Tanganyika , Uganda and Zanzibar. Formed in 1952 to replace Royal Navy's Naval Volunteer Reserves in Zanzibar and Tanganyika and was disbanded in 1962 with the independence of Tanganyika from Britain...
. Following the disbanding of the REAN in 1962, the East African Railways and Harbours Co-operations assumed control of naval operations in the former East African colonies until the independent states established their own navies.
In 1972 At State House, Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
, Major JCJ Kimaro is promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
by the HE President Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyattapron.] served as the first Prime Minister and President of Kenya. He is considered the founding father of the Kenyan nation....
and appointed as the first commander of the Kenyan Navy. He died in a tragic road accident in 1978 and Major General E S Mbilu took over the command of the Kenya Navy until his retirement in 1988 where, Brigadier JRE Kibwana is promoted to Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
and appointed the Navy Commander replacing Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
E S Mbilu.
Kenya Navy has Mtongwe base in Mombasa, Shimoni, Msambweni, Malindi, Kilifi and since 1995 another base located in Manda
Manda Island
Manda is an island of the Lamu Archipelago of Kenya, known for the prosperous 9th century ports of Takwa and Manda town. The island is now linked by ferry to Lamu and is home to Manda Airport, while Manda Toto island lies to its west...
(part of Lamu Archipelago).
Ranks
The nomenclature of ranks in the Kenyan navy is not in line with traditional naval ranks; it is more in line with land forces assignments:Officer ranks
- Second Lieutenant (Midshipman)
- Lieutenant (Sub-Lieutenant)
- Captain (First Lieutenant)
- Major (Lieutenant Commander)
- Lieutenant Colonel (Commander)
- Colonel (Captain)
- Brigadier (Commodore)
- Major General (Rear-Admiral)
- Lieutenant-General (Vice Admiral)
- General (Admiral)
Current Vessels
- Madaraka Class small missile boatMissile boatA Missile Boat is a small craft armed with anti-ship missiles. Being a small craft, missile boats are popular with nations interested in forming an inexpensive navy...
s- 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
Brooke Marine
Brooke Marine was a Lowestoft-based shipbuilding firm. The company constructed boats and small ships for civilian and commercial use, as well as minor warships for the Royal Navy, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Australian Navy, Kenya Navy and United States Navy.The company was founded in 1874 as a...
along with three others of the class. KNS Mamba has a non-functioning missile system and is currently used as an OPV, remained of the class decommissioned and placed in reserve status. Armed with 4 Gabriel SSM, 1 dual 30 mm AA.
- Nyayo Class
- P3126 KNS Nyayo
- P3127 KNS Umoja
March 2009 to July 2011 in refit at Fincantieri
Fincantieri
Fincantieri - Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A. is a shipbuilding company based in Trieste, Italy. It was formed in 1959 and is the largest shipbuilder in the Mediterranean, and one of the largest in Europe...
's Muggiano shipyard in northern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Built by Vosper Thornycroft these missile boat
Missile boat
A Missile Boat is a small craft armed with anti-ship missiles. Being a small craft, missile boats are popular with nations interested in forming an inexpensive navy...
s were originally Province Class and were delivered in 1987. Similar to Omani Province class and due a refit soon. Armed with 4 Otomat SSM, 1 76 mm OTO DP, 1 dual 30 mm AA, 2 20 mm machine guns
- Shupavu Class large patrol boatPatrol boatA patrol boat is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defense duties.There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine and/or estuarine or river environments...
s
Spain
- P6129 KNS Shujaa
- P6130 KNS Shupavu
Built to civilian standards in 1997 and entered service in 1997. Armed with a 76mm and a 30mm gun in Kenya.
- Galana Class/River Class medium landing ship (LSM) /coastal logistics ships
-
- L39 KNS Tana
- L38 KNS Galana
Built by Construnaves-CEN, Gondan, Spain and delivered in December 1993 from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and entered service in 1994. Used for logistics. These ships are unarmed and used for amphibious warfare.
- Archangel class RHIB (jet boat)
-
- 1 - 12 metre IPV
Built by SAFE Boats International and donated by the USA in 2006 to reduce gun and drug running.
- USGS Defender Class RHIB with outboard motors
-
- 5 - 7 metre IPVs were built by SAFE Boats International and donated by the USA in 2006 to reduce gun and drug running.
- P101 Class IPVs
-
- P943
- P944
- P945
- P946
- P947
These ex-Spanish Navy
Spanish Navy
The Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path...
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.
- Personnel Tenders
2 built by Cowes
Cowes
Cowes is an English seaport town and civil parish on the Isle of Wight. Cowes is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east Bank...
in 1998, each can carry 136 passengers.
- YTB Harbour Tug
-
- KNS Ngamia
Built by James Lamont, Port Glasgow in 1969 for Mombasa Port Authority and transferred to the navy in 1983.
Missiles:-
- 22x IAIIAIIAI is an acronym for:* The Information Architecture Institute* Institute of Art and Ideas* Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research* International African Institute* International Association for Identification...
Gabriel SSMs - 167x Otomat MK-II SSMs
Italy
Future Vessels
- Jasiri Class survey ship
Ordered in 2003 but not accepted due to problems. Problems have been corrected and the ship now awaits delivery in the port of Sada
Sada, Galicia
Sada is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The ship is well armed enough to also function as an offshore patrol vessel.
Past Vessels
The Kenya navy has replaced many older vessels from the navy's early years, mostly transfers from the Royal East African NavyRoyal East African Navy
Royal East African Navy was a naval force of the former British colonies of Kenya, Tanganyika , Uganda and Zanzibar. Formed in 1952 to replace Royal Navy's Naval Volunteer Reserves in Zanzibar and Tanganyika and was disbanded in 1962 with the independence of Tanganyika from Britain...
via the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
.
- Ford class seaward defence boatFord class seaward defence boatThe Ford class seaward defence boats were built for the Royal Navy in the 1950s.HMS Droxford served for a time as the tender for Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities Royal Naval Unit, and was administered by RNR Clyde. The vessel was used to train Midshipmen who were students of the universities...
-
- KNS Nyati
Training vessel was donated by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
in 1964. It was formerly known HMS Aberford
HMS Aberford
HMS Aberford was one of 20 boats of the Ford class of patrol boats built for the Royal Navy in the 1950s.Their names were all chosen from villages ending in -ford. This boat was named after Aberford, West Yorkshire....
. It was sold for scrapping in 1971.
- Vosper Thornycraft 110' training craft
Training craft was retired in 2000.
- Simba Class patrol crafts
-
- 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.
- Madaraka Class missile boatMissile boatA Missile Boat is a small craft armed with anti-ship missiles. Being a small craft, missile boats are popular with nations interested in forming an inexpensive navy...
s
-
- P323 KNS Harambee
- KNS Jamhuri
- P3121 KNS Madaraka
These missile boats were delivered in 1976 along with KNS Mamba, and were built by Brooke Marine
Brooke Marine
Brooke Marine was a Lowestoft-based shipbuilding firm. The company constructed boats and small ships for civilian and commercial use, as well as minor warships for the Royal Navy, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Australian Navy, Kenya Navy and United States Navy.The company was founded in 1874 as a...
. KNS Madaraka was decommissioned in 2000, and KNS Jamhuri and KNS Harambee in 2002.
Notable members
Commander of the Navy- CommanderCommanderCommander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
E M C Walker, RN 1964-1967 - CommanderCommanderCommander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
A A Pearse, RN 1967-1969 - CommanderCommanderCommander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
W A E Hall, RN 1969-1972 - last Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
officer to command Kenyan Navy - Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
J C J Kimaro 1972-1978 - first Kenyan to head navy - MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
E S Mbilu 1978-1988 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
J R E Kibwana 1988-1998 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Aboud Abdalla Rafrouf 1998-2002 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Pastor O Awitta 2002-2006 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Samson Jefwa Mwathethe 2006-