Jasiri’s women sailors

By Philip Mwakio

For the 20 days they sailed in the newly acquired Kenya Navy Ship, KNS Jasiri, two women officers were particularly excited. Every time they thought about the day the ship would dock in Mombasa, a wave of happiness washed their hearts.

Sergeant Phoebe Makau, a mother of one, and Senior Private Hannah Wangari were in the formidable team of Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) 60 soldiers, including four other women, who docked Kenya’s latest and largest warship two days ago.

The soldiers had gone to pick the ship from the manufacturers’ shipyard in the Spanish port of Ribadeo two months ago.
Acquired at Sh4.6 billion, the ship fits well into Kenya Navy’s ambitious equipment modernisation programme.

For Makau and Wangari, the sea voyage that saw them sail over three oceans fortified their resolve to serve and defend their motherland against external aggression.

“KDF is an equal opportunity employer and we are on equal footing when discharging our duties as soldiers,’’ Makau says  with a sense of pride.

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Makau and Wangari join a growing list of gallant women who have been enlisted in the Kenya Navy after the disbandment of the Women Service Corps in December 1999. The first officers – Betty Kenga (now colonel) and and Captain Nderitu – joined the Navy the following year.

Until recently, the physical presence of women on board a naval warship was rare.
Makau, who is a qualified electrician, ensured all electrical equipment and power supply on the vessel were working well throughout the voyage.

“Quite, a good number of operations on this warship rely on electricity. I am here to ensure that this vessel is fit to operate,’’ she told The Standard.

Wangari is a seaman who operates mainly from the bridge (ship steering section)from where the ship’s manoeuvres are controlled.

“I take orders from the vessel’s skipper and work in the bridge to ensure that the ship is in good working condition.’’

Having been away from home for two months, Wangari  longed for her homecoming as she had missed her favourite meal – ugali and sukuma wiki.

As the ship glided to harbour, men and women of the ship lined up in military precision as they saluted their superiors at the Mtongwe Naval Base during the vessel’s arrival party.

Jasiri’s acquisition was one of the major acquisitions made under the infamous Anglo-Leasing projects and it took nine years to arrive.

A proud Chief of Defence Force, General Julius Karangi said the ship would boost defence of Kenyan maritime security.

‘’Today marks a milestone in the history of the Kenya Navy as we now fully take custody of this modern sophisticated warship,’’ General Karangi said.

Senior military officers Major General Ngewa Mukala (commander, Kenya Navy), Maj- Gen Jeff Otieno(commander Kenya Air Force) and Lt-Gen Joseph Kasaon( Kenya Army commander) alongside relatives and family of the Kenyan sailors were present to welcome the ship.

KNS Jasiri is under the command of Lt-Col Mohamed Aden Mohamed, a veteran soldier and sailor.