Nyarandi takes over at troubled maritime agency
By Reuben Mwambingu, July 17, 2025The scandal-ridden Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has appointed Omae Nyarandi as its new Director General, raising fresh hopes for stability at an institution grappling with leadership wrangles and graft allegations.
Nyarandi, a seasoned maritime expert and former Executive Secretary of the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), was unveiled on July 16, 2025, in a ceremony at KMA headquarters, Bahari Towers, Mombasa.
Speaking during the unveiling, KMA Board Chair Ahmed Kolosh expressed optimism that the new DG would inject fresh professionalism and restore public confidence in the maritime regulator.
“Mr Nyarandi brings with him decades of experience in maritime affairs, regional diplomacy and public administration,” said Kolosh.
“His deep knowledge and commitment to advancing regional integration and port development make him exceptionally suited to lead KMA into the future.”
Principal Secretary in the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Aden Millah, said the appointment comes at a crucial time for the maritime sector.
“This is a defining moment. Visionary leadership is needed to steer the industry towards sustained growth and transformation. We are hopeful this marks the beginning of a stable era at KMA,” Millah told journalists.
Nyarandi, who officially takes the reins following a string of unceremonious exits of former bosses, pledged to lead with integrity and teamwork.
“I am ready for the task. I will work closely with the KMA team to fulfil the Authority’s mandate.”
His appointment comes less than 10 months after the unceremonious ouster of his predecessor, Martin Dzombo Munga, who was bundled out just nine months into office under a cloud of controversy.
Poisoned chalice
The position of KMA Director General has earned the reputation of a poisoned chalice, with successive holders falling to internal boardroom wars and integrity probes.
Munga was unveiled on December 15, 2023, amid fanfare and lofty expectations.
Backed by high-ranking maritime officials, including then KMA Chair Hamisi Mwaguya and former Principal Secretary Geoffrey Kaituko.
Munga promised to steer the authority towards a future defined by innovation and alignment with Kenya’s blue economy strategy.
He laid out an ambitious agenda that included revitalising the shipbuilding industry, developing commuter water transport systems, and introducing digital reforms to modernise the maritime sector.
At the time, Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho had also announced plans to introduce a shipbreaking initiative aimed at tapping into the lucrative global dismantling industry — a move that appeared to dovetail neatly with Munga’s agenda.
But the honeymoon was short-lived. By September 20, 2024, Munga was sent on compulsory leave amid allegations of irregular staff recruitment, financial impropriety and abuse of office.
Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) centred on questionable hiring practices spanning two financial years — 2022/23 and 2023/24.
Leadership vacuum
Munga’s fallout with the board turned messy. Then-chair Mwaguya tersely announced his dismissal.
Munga’s exit opened the floodgates to a series of scandals implicating top KMA officials.
Soon after, the authority’s Head of Human Resource and Administration, Henry Mwasaru and Head of Supply Chain Management, Bevaline Lundu, were arrested over a Ksh40.5 million insurance tender scam.
The pair was accused of colluding with Liaison Group Insurance Brokers to manipulate tendering processes.
Liaison Group executives Julius Kitheka and Danson Kaba were also implicated. The alleged fraud came to light through a whistleblower letter dated August 2024 from the Capital Youth Caucus Association.
As Nyarandi takes over, the burden to clean up KMA and restore its credibility looms large.