Anxiety is growing among families of nine Kenyan seafarers held in Tanzania after their vessel was seized over alleged human trafficking, with concerns mounting over their continued detention without clear charges or communication on their status.
The crew members have been in custody in Kilwa since March 30, when Tanzanian authorities impounded the Kenyan-flagged vessel, MV Sea Mfalme. The boat had left Kenya on March 14 and was reportedly intercepted about two weeks later. It is now anchored at Kilwa Masoko.
Those detained include ship master Frank Mbotela, chief engineer Spatuel Mwachari, cook Tela Vihiri, seafarer Said Juma Hamisi, deckhands Moses Mungai, Francis Lushango and Mwinyi Faki, and oilers Tengeza Hamisi and Juma Rashid Tabb. Reports indicate there was also a crew member from Comoros on board.
Relatives say the situation has left them in distress, noting that many of those being held are the sole providers for their families. They say they have struggled to get updates since early April, raising fears about the conditions the crew may be facing.
“We are suffering. We do not know what to do. We are asking the government to intervene and rescue my husband and the others who have been in custody since late last month without being charged,” said Marim Shee, whose husband Said Juma is among those detained.
The Seafarers Union of Kenya said the vessel’s detention is linked to suspected human trafficking, but noted that Tanzanian authorities have not made public any detailed evidence or formally charged the crew.
Accounts from families indicate the vessel departed from Kenya carrying passengers of different nationalities, including 10 women, one child and about 50 men. However, only the nine Kenyan crew members are confirmed to be under detention.
Union Secretary-General Atie Ramadhan expressed concern over what she termed as gaps in due process and lack of communication, saying families are becoming more anxious as the situation drags on.
She urged the government to step in and called on the Kenya Maritime Authority to take action against the vessel’s owners and ensure compliance with labour and safety regulations.
“The vessel flies a Kenyan flag and began its voyage here. There should have been proper pre-departure inspections. I appeal to the government to ensure the safe return of the seafarers. If anyone is culpable, the law should take its course,” Ramadhan said.
She further called for tighter inspections of vessels, stronger enforcement of labour standards and more transparency in how seafarers are recruited, including involving the union in the process.
The union also pointed to wider challenges facing Kenyan seafarers, including cases of unpaid wages, exploitation and abandonment in foreign ports, saying the problems persist due to weak enforcement.
They appealed to Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho to urgently address the issues affecting workers in the maritime sector.
The Kenya Maritime Authority confirmed it is aware of the detention and said it is reviewing the matter. In a statement issued on April 16, the authority said it is working with both Kenyan and Tanzanian agencies to establish what happened and determine the next course of action.
KMA director general CPA Omae Nyarandi said the issue is being handled through existing intergovernmental and regulatory channels, adding that updates will be shared when available.
“The matter is currently under review, with the authority working closely with relevant government agencies and counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania to verify the circumstances and facilitate appropriate follow-up actions,” Nyarandi said.
He said the authority remains focused on protecting the integrity of Kenya’s ship registry and ensuring vessels meet required maritime standards.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment, reply, and like comments.
Continue with Google