President William Ruto’s choice for International Maritime Organisation (IMO) top job has advanced to the next round and is among the final seven shortlisted for the job.
On November 3, 2022, Ruto endorsed Nancy Karigithu for the position of Secretary General of IMO.
During that time, countries across the world had nominated candidates to succeed the outgoing Kitack Lim of the Republic of Korea whose term at the helm expires on December 31, 2023.
According to a statement from IMO, the list was narrowed to seven candidates on Tuesday, April 3, after IMO Council approved the procedures for holding the election of the Secretary-General at its 128th session in December 2022.
Karigithu was the only candidate picked from the African Continent to contest for the top seat increasing her odds of becoming the first female to occupy such a position.
She will be competing against; Moin Uddin Ahmed (Bangladesh), Suat Hayri Aka (Turkey), Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco (Panama), Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (Dominica), Minna Kivimäki (Finland), and Zhang Xiaojie (China).
The election to determine who will replace Lim will be conducted Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at IMO headquarters in London, UK.
The successful candidate will be tasked with achieving IMO’s goals and objectives which include leading the industry toward a sustainable future.
Karigithu emerged as a top contender due to intense lobbying from the government and regional maritime organisations.
“As Secretary General, 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 President stated at the time while kickstarting the lobbying process.
Immediately after being nominated by the Kenyan government, regional and international maritime bodies identified Karigithu as the right candidate for the job.
Key endorsements came from the Centre for Ocean Policy and Economics (COEP), the Seafarers Union of Kenya (SUK), and the Association for Women in the Maritime Sector in Eastern and Southern Africa (WOMESA).
“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 from COEP read in part.
Karigithu , currently Kenya’s special envoy for the blue economy and maritime affairs in IMO, previously served as Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime.
Shea also served as Director General of Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) in the past.
