Several Kenyan seafarers bound for overseas jobs were denied boarding passes at Moi International Airport due to a new requirement for National Employment Authority (NEA) certificates, causing confusion and drawing strong criticism from maritime experts.

• Kenya has an estimated 10,000+ seafarers working on foreign vessels.
• The NEA is reportedly demanding an agency fee of Sh 500,000 from licensed manning agencies.
• Maritime experts, including former Seafarers Union of Kenya (SUK) Secretary Generals Steve Owaki and Andrew Mwangura, argue that these regulations contradict international maritime standards and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.
• The controversy also highlights concerns that 6 out of 13 licensed manning and crewing agencies may lack verifiable agreements with shipping lines, potentially exposing seafarers to fraud.