Rv-Mtafiti Vessel Reviews and Specifications

An auctioneer is gearing up to sell the research vessel 'Mtafiti' to recover a substantial debt of Sh81 million owed to Ezekiel Okemwo, a former director of the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (Kemfri). This vessel, which was graciously donated by Belgium to the institute approximately five years ago, holds a valuation that runs into hundreds of millions of shillings. Ezekiel Okemwo won a legal battle to receive Sh33 million for salary arrears and Sh20 million in damages due to unlawful termination of employment. This decision was backed by a 14 percent interest following a successful legal petition at the Labour Court against Kemfri's actions. The saga traces back to 1999 when Okemwo faced erroneous accusations of theft, for which he was acquitted in 2012. This led him to pursue damages after Kemfri declined to reinstate him post-acquittal. In 2012, Okemwo sought the Labour Court's intervention for a declaration of wrongful dismissal, along with a claim for unpaid wages. He achieved a favorable verdict in 2016, but Kemfri's appeal against the decision proved fruitless. The former director subsequently petitioned the Labour Court for enforcement of the decree from 2016, claiming non-payment from Kemfri. On January 29, 2020, the court granted execution orders enabling the seizure of Kemfri’s assets. Last week, these orders were upheld, allowing for the potential auction of the vessel and other assets, including heavy laboratory equipment, motor vehicles, and office furniture, should the institute fail to comply with the court's ruling. Mombasa-based Auckland Auctioneers are poised to act within 14 days from the given deadline, threatening to auction Kemfri's movable assets if they do not settle the owed amount to Okemwo. Justice James Rika originally awarded Okemwo this compensation, stating that Kemfri failed to substantiate the criminal allegations against him, which were pivotal to his wrongful termination. The upcoming auction could significantly impact Kemfri's operations, should the payment not be addressed promptly.

On September 12, 2023, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett will unveil cutting-edge equipment aboard Kenya's first oceanographic survey vessel, RV Mtafiti, at the Port of Mombasa. This significant event, hosted by the Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute (Kemfri), will also see the launch of a special expedition cruise designed for Kenyan marine scientists and equipment manufacturers, focusing on hands-on training with the new technology. The added advancements aim to revolutionize marine research in the Indian Ocean, enabling more informed and sustainable development of marine resources within the nation's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The unveiling ceremony will be held at the Southern Engineering Company (Seco) dockyards in Mombasa. Among the new tools is a Fisheries Acoustic Eco-sounder, capable of measuring fish densities and their distribution along Kenya's coastline, thus enhancing marine resource management.

Nairobi - In a significant advancement for marine research in the region, the Department of Fisheries has proudly announced the acquisition of the MTAFITI, a 56.6-meter-long scientific research vessel, marking a remarkable first for Kenya. This state-of-the-art vessel will be operated by the Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) to facilitate comprehensive studies in the Indian Ocean. The MTAFITI was generously donated to the Kenyan government by Belgium, reflecting international cooperation in promoting sustainable fisheries management. During a ceremonial reception at the Kenya Navy Mkunguni Jetty in Mombasa, Principal Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Micheni Ntiba, emphasized the vessel's pivotal role in enhancing fisheries research. The deployment of the MTAFITI will focus on the effective management of Kenya's 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), ensuring the provision of timely and accurate data on fish stocks and oceanographic conditions. This initiative illustrates Kenya's commitment to advancing its maritime capabilities and fostering ecological sustainability in its coastal waters.