Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA), in partnership with Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), has rolled out the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certification program, targeting more than 250 coxswains operating in the Lake Victoria region.
The pilot initiative is aimed at improving safety standards and professionalism in inland water transport and boosting skills development and employability of the youths.
Speaking during the assessment exercise in Kisumu County, BMA Senior Principal Trainer 1, Nautical Science, Maj. (Rtd) Franklyne Toniok, noted that individuals with existing skills and experience will be assessed to obtain formal certification for job opportunities within the maritime sector.
Maj. Toniok, who was representing BMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Katana, said that individuals who have acquired practical skills through work experience but lack formal qualifications will be assessed to pave the way for their certification as Coxswain Class III operators.
Toniok said the assessment exercise had recorded significant progress, attracting coxswains from Migori, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Siaya counties as part of efforts to establish a broader certification program for maritime operators across the Greater Lakes Region.
“By the end of the second day, we had assessed more than 150 coxswains against a target of 250. This demonstrates the strong response from industry players and places us on course to achieve our target by Friday,” he said.
He expressed confidence in the academy’s ability to meet and surpass its goal in increasing the pool of qualified personnel required to support Kenya’s growing maritime and blue economy sectors.
Toniok noted that many coxswains operating on Lake Victoria possess valuable practical experience but lack formal certification, making the RPL framework a critical pathway for career progression.
“Recognition of Prior Learning gives practitioners an opportunity to have their skills formally assessed and recognized. This not only improves their employability but also contributes to safer navigation and better service delivery within the maritime sector,” Toniok said.
According to Toniok, successful candidates will be recommended to the Kenya Maritime Authority for certification, enabling them to meet industry requirements and access wider employment opportunities within Kenya’s maritime and blue economy sectors.
BMA has entered into collaboration with Kisumu Maritime Centre (KMC) and several TVET institutions and universities across the country, including Ahero Vocational Training Centre in Kisumu County, Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, Kenya Utalii College, Technical University of Mombasa, Tinderet Integrated Technical Training College, Bumbe National Polytechnic and St. Joseph Technical Institute for the Deaf Nyang’oma in a joint effort to enhance safety and competency standards in the blue economy.
The partnerships are designed to ensure that graduates from diverse technical and vocational backgrounds are introduced to maritime training opportunities.
RPL programme comes at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to enhance safety on inland waterways and unlock the economic potential of Lake Victoria through a skilled and certified maritime workforce.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a major step towards professionalizing coxswain operations while improving compliance with maritime safety regulations.
The exercise is expected to provide a model for future large-scale certification program targeting maritime personnel across the country’s inland water transport network.
Some of the courses currently offered under the Recognition of Prior Learning program include Forklift Operations, Coxswain Grade III, Clearing and Forwarding, Terminal Tractor Operations, Cargo Documentation, Lifeguard Training, Gantry Crane Operations, Firefighting and First Aid, Warehouse and Stores Management, as well as Rescue Boat and Survival Techniques.
By Robert Ojwang’
