KENYA: New coast-guard to thwart ‘fish thieves’

Kenya’s president has launched the country’s first coast-guard to protect and monitor its territorial waters. It will guard against illegal fishing, which President Uhuru Kenyatta said costs Kenya about $100m (£78m) a year. It is also intended to secure territorial waters against smuggling and drug trafficking. Until now Kenya’s maritime security depended solely on the […]

Kenya’s president has launched the country’s first coast-guard to protect and monitor its territorial waters.

It will guard against illegal fishing, which President Uhuru Kenyatta said costs Kenya about $100m (£78m) a year. It is also intended to secure territorial waters against smuggling and drug trafficking.

Until now Kenya’s maritime security depended solely on the Navy, who authorities say will now be free to focus more on security and military affairs.