Zonal marking: Kenya looks to position itself for a new role in maritime security

On 6 May, Kenya submitted a claim to extend its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) from 200 n miles out to 350 n miles, adding 103,000 square kilometres to the nation's maritime area of responsibility, alongside the potential benefits of harnessing new and untapped resources such as petroleum, gas and manganese nodules and crusts.

The economic importance of succeeding with the bid to extend the EEZ is obvious, but it brings with it some other important considerations, such as how to provide maritime security across hitherto unpatrolled waters.

In the absence of an obvious and enduring maritime threat to national sovereignty, the Kenya Navy's primary role is focused on patrolling the sea near the Somali border, in order to prevent incursions from individuals linked to Islamic extremism and to protect the economically-vital sea lines of communication into Mombasa.

The navy also has a constabulary role, designed to arrest or deter those involved in criminal activities such as drugs, weapons and people smuggling and illegal fishing.

The risk of the terrorist activity that has punctuated Kenya's recent history rearing its head again, along a coastline from which the country generates large sums in tourism revenues, must also be factored into the equation.

The Kenyan coastline is also a host to important fisheries, upon which local communities depend for sustinence. Declining catches in the area are affecting nearly 20,000 fishermen and the activities of unlicensed fishing vessels operating off Kenya are having a dramatic knock-on effect upon the economy.