Ruto and AU endorse Karigithu for the IMO Secretary General post
By Mathew.Ndungu, May 9, 2023
Kenya has launched an aggressive campaign on the global stage for the candidature of Nancy Karigithu for the post of Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
At the weekend, Kenya officially endorsed Karigithu’s candidature as it kicked off a whirlwind diplomatic campaign around the world to push for her election.
President William Ruto’s endorsement of Karigithu’s candidature last Friday comes few weeks after the African Union (AU) had also backed her for the position, making her the only candidate from the continent.
The endorsements now put Karigithu in a pole position to succeed outgoing Secretary-General Kitack Lim of the Republic of South Korea, whose term expires by end of this year. The elections are scheduled to be held on July 18 at the IMO headquarters in London, the United Kingdom.
Others in the race for the top position include Suat Hayri Aka (Turkey), Minna Kivimäki (Finland), Moin Uddin Ahmed (Bangladesh), Arsenio Antonio Dominguez (Panama), Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (Dominica), and Zhang Xiaojie (China).
In a video posted by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Ruto said Kenya and AU are presenting to the global community a highly competent and qualified candidate who has immensely contributed to maritime issues.
“In nominating Ambassador Karigithu, Kenya and the AU are presenting to the global maritime community a highly competent and qualified candidate, who has immensely contributed to global maritime issues,” said Dr Ruto at the weekend.
Complex issues
Ruto added that Karigithu has built consensus on many complex issues which has enabled common action in favour of the shared objectives of the IMO membership. “I wish to underscore that Ambassador Karigithu has all it takes to handle the challenges facing the shipping industry, starting with the adoption of cleaner energy for sustainable shipping, tackling decarbonisation through control and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, marine environmental protection, and ensuring fairness to all IMO Member States,” the Head of State noted.
An individual from Africa has yet to occupy the post of IMO secretary-general since its establishment in 1958.