Kenya's Coast Guard Service (KCGS) has joined a critical four-day security exercise in Mwanza, Tanzania, uniting with regional forces to tighten the net on transnational criminals operating across East Africa's shared waters.

The drill, running from December 1-4, 2025, is a direct response to the escalating threats of illegal fishing, smuggling, and human trafficking that cost the Kenyan economy billions of shillings annually and endanger the livelihoods of thousands.

A United Front Against Waterborne Crime

This Regional Tabletop Exercise (TTX2) brings together security agencies from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Mozambique to bolster joint operations and real-time intelligence sharing. The collaboration is vital, as criminal syndicates increasingly exploit vast maritime and inland territories like the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria.

For Kenya, the stakes are immense. The nation loses an estimated KES 10 billion each year from illegal and unregulated fishing alone, a practice that depletes fish stocks and harms law-abiding fishers. The problem is particularly acute in Lake Victoria, which supports the livelihoods of millions in the region but has seen its fish biomass decimated by illicit activities.

The key threats being addressed by the joint exercise include:

• Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: This remains a primary economic and environmental threat, destroying marine habitats and jeopardizing food security.
• Smuggling and Trafficking: Criminal networks use the waterways for trafficking narcotics, weapons, and people, posing a significant security risk.
• Piracy: Though incidents have decreased due to international cooperation, piracy remains a high-risk threat to maritime trade routes in the region.

Strengthening Regional Defences

The KCGS, established in 2018, has a mandate to secure Kenya's national waters by combating these very crimes. Its participation in exercises like TTX2 is crucial for building the regional partnerships needed to dismantle powerful criminal networks that operate seamlessly across borders.

In a statement, the KCGS emphasized that the exercise is designed to enhance "operational coordination among national and regional agencies" and boost "preparedness for joint operations against transnational crimes." This follows other recent joint drills, including the Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) held earlier in the year, which also focused on strengthening regional maritime security.

Analysts note that poverty and high unemployment are key drivers of illegal fishing, making a purely enforcement-based approach challenging. However, by improving surveillance and demonstrating a united front, regional forces hope to create a more secure environment that allows the legal blue economy to thrive.

As East African nations deepen their collaboration, this exercise in Mwanza represents a critical step towards safeguarding the shared resources and future prosperity of the entire region.