By Njeri Irungu.
Geoffrey Kaituko, the outgoing Principal Secretary for the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs, has been named Kenya’s Deputy Head of Mission and Ambassador to Rome, Italy. This appointment comes as he concludes a transformative tenure in Kenya’s maritime sector and prepares to take on new diplomatic responsibilities focused on food security and international cooperation.
During his time as Principal Secretary from 2023 to 2025, Kaituko implemented significant reforms that strengthened Kenya’s maritime industry. He oversaw the passage of crucial regulations through Parliament, enhancing the authority of the Kenya Maritime Authority and bringing order to a sector that had previously struggled with inefficiencies. “A weak regulator leads to dysfunction,” he often remarked, emphasizing the importance of enforcement in creating a stable maritime environment.
One of his notable achievements was facilitating the employment of 5,000 Kenyan seafarers on foreign vessels, particularly in hospitality roles, through partnerships with countries such as Denmark and Sweden. He also championed the Bandari Maritime Academy, reducing training fees by half and positioning the institution as a center of excellence for maritime training in the region.
Kaituko took pride in operationalizing the multi-agency Maritime Security Committee, which has been instrumental in combating smuggling, piracy, and wildlife trafficking in the Indian Ocean. Under his leadership, Kenya improved its maritime surveillance and response capabilities, leading to successful interceptions of illegal activities.
Despite progress, challenges remain, particularly regarding ferry congestion in Mombasa. Kaituko acknowledged the issue and pointed to long-term solutions such as the Dongo Kundu bypass and a proposed bridge over the channel. He confirmed that the Kenya Ports Authority is working to expand ferry capacity in the short term while the government pursues larger infrastructure projects.
In his new role as Deputy Head of Mission in Rome, Kaituko will oversee Kenya’s diplomatic relations with Italy, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, and Albania. He will also engage with key United Nations agencies based in Rome, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. These institutions play a critical role in global food security, a priority area for Kenya under its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Kaituko expressed his gratitude to President William Ruto for the appointment and pledged to advance Kenya’s interests in multilateral forums. “Food security is a cornerstone of our national development plan, and I look forward to strengthening Kenya’s partnerships with Rome-based agencies to address hunger and sustainable agriculture,” he said.
Stakeholders in the sector have commended Kaituko’s reforms and expressed hope for continuity in the progress made under his leadership.
Rome serves as a key diplomatic hub for Kenya, hosting not only bilateral engagements with Italy but also critical multilateral discussions on food and agriculture. Kaituko’s background in policy implementation and labor migration is expected to bolster Kenya’s presence in these discussions, particularly as the country seeks to expand opportunities for its citizens abroad while addressing domestic challenges in maritime and food security.
As he prepares for his new assignment, Kaituko remains optimistic about Kenya’s maritime future and its role in global food governance. His transition from domestic policymaking to international diplomacy reflects the government’s strategy of leveraging experienced leaders to advance Kenya’s interests on the world stage.
