KENYA'S President William Ruto, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, attended the Kenya Navy’s 60th Anniversary at the Navy Base Mtongwe in Mombasa County.

In his address, President Ruto praised the Kenya Navy for its role in protecting Kenya’s sovereignty and pledged further support to enhance its operations.

“We commend the Kenya Navy for its unwavering commitment to safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity along our coastline.

To bolster these efforts, we will enhance naval capabilities by modernizing our fleet, investing in advanced technologies, and strengthening personnel skills and operational capacity,” President Ruto stated.

The Kenya Navy Ship Jasiri, believed to be the fastest warship in Africa, fired a 21-gun salute in honour of President Ruto during the celebrations.

President Ruto observed the ceremony as the Kenya Navy conducted the 21-gun salute in a solemn two-minute moment of silence to honour his presence.

The Kenya Navy Ship Jasiri, delivered to Kenya in 2012, is a vital asset to the country’s naval forces. It measures 84.5 meters in length, with a depth of 4.5 meters from the main deck and a 3-meter draught.

The warship can achieve impressive speeds of 28 knots, equivalent to approximately 51.8 kilometres per hour on land, making it one of the fastest naval vessels in Africa.

In terms of capacity, the ship can carry 352 m³ of fuel oil, 26.5 m³ of fresh water, and 110 m³ of ballast, enabling extended maritime operations. The vessel also has accommodation for 61 crew members, comprising both men and women.

The Jasiri is equipped with advanced weaponry, including one Oto Melara 76 mm gun, one Oto Melara 20 mm gun, and two 12.7 mm machine guns, all integrated with a sophisticated fire-control system.

For navigation, it uses the Kelvin Hughes I-Band 2007/NTD radar navigation system, ensuring precise and reliable operations across various maritime environments.

The ship’s capabilities are formidable, with the ability to destroy aircraft and fortifications on land from several kilometres offshore.

It is also deployed for patrol and surveillance missions in areas identified as threats to national security.

Reports indicate that this ship, manufactured in the Netherlands, first arrived in Kenya in 1997.

It is capable of cruising at speeds of 22 knots, equivalent to approximately 40.7 kilometres per hour on land.