Seven Kenyan seafarers who had been sentenced to 20 years in a Tanzanian prison over a human trafficking case have been freed after the government negotiated a fine in place of the jail terms and paid the amount required for their release.
The seafarers who had been detained in Tanzania for more than two months arrived at Moi International Airport in Mombasa on Friday to emotional reunions with relatives who had feared they could spend decades behind bars in a foreign country.
The group had been sentenced after being found guilty of human trafficking by a Tanzanian court. However, diplomatic engagements between Kenya and Tanzania, coupled with interventions by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, resulted in their release after a fine option was negotiated.
Sources familiar with the matter said discussions had initially centred on transferring the convicted Kenyans to serve their sentences in Kenya. However, authorities later reached an agreement allowing the seafarers to secure their freedom by paying a fine.
Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Ali Joho when he appeared before the National Assembly Delegated Legislation Committee at Bunge Tower on April 14, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
The Kenyan government, through Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, facilitated the payment of Tsh10 million, equivalent to about Sh497,389, leading to the release of the seven crew members.
The seafarers were arrested on March 30 in Kilwa, Tanzania, after authorities intercepted and impounded a Kenyan-flagged vessel, FV Sea Mfalme, on allegations of human trafficking.
At the time of the arrest, the vessel was carrying 61 undocumented migrants, including 54 nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and seven from Burundi. The seven Kenyans were serving as crew members aboard the vessel and were among nine crew members charged following the interception.
Sources privy to the investigations indicated that the vessel had reportedly been chartered by a businessman from Comoros to transport cargo between islands in the Indian Ocean.
According to the sources, all documentation required for the voyage had been processed under the supervision of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) in accordance with maritime regulations.
However, investigations later revealed that the vessel's captain allegedly diverted from the intended assignment and used the vessel to transport undocumented migrants, resulting in the arrest of everyone on board.
Family members of the detained seafarers maintained throughout the ordeal that the crew members were innocent employees carrying out their duties and had no knowledge of the alleged trafficking operation. According to relatives, the vessel departed from Kenya carrying individuals of different nationalities, including 10 women, one child and 50 men.
Following their arrest, all those found aboard the vessel were charged with human trafficking offences under Tanzanian law. Speaking after receiving the seafarers, Mr Joho described their return as a moment of immense relief for both the government and the affected families.
"It was an immense relief to receive and witness seven of our seafarers finally reunite with their families. Their journey home follows a harrowing ordeal that began in March this year when they were detained in international waters and faced the prospect of decades in prison or heavy financial penalties,” he said.
The CS said the government is committed to protecting Kenyan seafarers working in regional and international waters and ensuring that they receive adequate legal and diplomatic support whenever they encounter difficulties abroad.
"We are grateful to have them back home safely. At the same time, we are taking decisive action to ensure no other crew member faces a similar situation in future," he said.
The Cabinet Secretary announced plans to strengthen safeguards within Kenya's maritime sector through reforms aimed at improving the identification and verification of seafarers.
"We shall be further strengthening our institutional safeguards by implementing Seafarers' Identity Documents (SIDs) and advancing the mutual recognition of competencies with our regional and global partners," said Mr Joho.
He added, "These measures are critical to protecting our crew, ensuring international compliance and mitigating future risks."
He said the government would continue working closely with maritime authorities and international partners to enhance safety, accountability and professionalism within the country's maritime industry.
Maritime industry stakeholders have welcomed the release of the seven Kenyans, saying the case highlights the risks faced by seafarers working aboard vessels operating across international waters.
The incident has also renewed calls for stronger monitoring of vessel operations and better protection of crew members who may unknowingly become entangled in criminal activities orchestrated by vessel owners or operators.
According to online vessel tracking platform VesselFinder, FV Sea Mfalme was built in 1988 and sails under the Kenyan flag. The vessel measures 84 metres in length and has a carrying capacity of approximately 483 tonnes.
Sources indicated that the vessel remains detained in Kilwa Masoko, Tanzania, where it is being held as an exhibit as legal proceedings involving other suspects arrested in connection with the case continue.
