A former Permanent Secretary (PS) and decorated lawyer received three high profile endorsements in her pursuit of an international position.
Nancy Karigithu who served as PS for Shipping and Maritime during President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime, is vying for the Secretary-General position at International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The career public servant is currently Kenya’s special envoy for the blue economy and maritime affairs in IMO.
Karigithu has been endorsed by African countries for the position as well as three international organizations.
She got a glowing recommendation from the Centre for Ocean Policy and Economics whose mandate is to create new strategic opportunities to solve adverse ocean, atmospheric and environmental problems through novel and practical options.
“We are proud to announce our support for Ambassador Nancy Karigithu for the post of secretary general of IMO and the first from Africa, the Republic of Kenya - a remarkable and necessary milestone,” the endorsement read in part.
Karigithu also received key endorsements from The Seafarers Union of Kenya (SUK), and the Association for Women in the Maritime Sector in Eastern and Southern Africa (WOMESA).
The envoy is one of the top decorated lawyers having previously worked as a legal expert for the European Union (EU) project Critical Maritime Routes.
She also previously served as Director General of Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA).
Karigithu also sits on the board of governors of the World Maritime University and the International Maritime Law Institute.
She was appointed as PS for State Department for Shipping and Maritime in the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development, and Public Works on January 2016.
She is an alumnus of the University of Nairobi where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Law.
She later studied for her master’s degree in International Maritime law at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute, Malta.
The Kenyan government through President William Ruto in a statement on November 3, 2022, indicated that it will support Karigithu in her quest to become Secretary General of IMO.
“As Secretary General, Nancy Karigithu will bring to the IMO strong competencies and invaluable experience in the management of global maritime and development of the oceans and blue economy that hold much promise for the international community,” the Kenyan Government stated back then.
Applicants for the post must submit their papers by end of March with elections taking place in July 2023.
