Cargo ship loaded with harmful nuclear waste detained at Mombasa port

The ship dubbed “Seago Piraeus”, according to investigative reports, carried the waste originating from Mumbai, India set for its destination in Dar es Salaam port, Tanzania.

It was detained after the Ministry of Health, through CS Mutahi Kagwe, raised concerns ordering the ship to be quarantined awaiting load analysis.

"The ship poses a serious threat to the health and life of Kenyans due to the emission of radiation from radioactive or nuclear material on board,” Kagwe said in a Thursday statement.

Kagwe further asked the Kenyan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) to inspect the shipment to 'determine the radioactive material in question, the possible quantity and the position' inside the ship.

"Kenya has an international obligation to prevent, intercept and combat illicit trafficking in radioactive and nuclear material and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, having ratified international instruments,” Kagwe added.

KNRA Director General Joseph Maina said the authority is leading an inspection and verification of the container adding that the cargo has been secured since its quarantine orders on Thursday.

“We are in the process of obtaining samples to determine the substance on suspicion of some radioactive materials,” said Joseph Maina.

“We have taken all measures as we work with other teams from multiple agencies to conduct tests, the results of which will be made public,” Maina added.

Consequently, Kenyan Maritime Authority (KMA) director general Robert Njue said they were informed of the suspicious cargo on December 15 saying that the matter is a public health concern.

"KMA was informed of the container with radioactive materials on December 15 from a vessel at berth 21. The team met with the vessel captain and senior officers where it was briefed about the container," said Njue.

In the past one month, as the the time of the last tracking of the ship on December 2, it has been to Kenya, Oman, India and Pakistan.

All those who were on board will be compelled to answer any questions as medical examinations of the load in the ship are underway.