Navy Rolls Out Gender Office and Modern Maternity

The Kenya Navy Base (KNB) Manda Bay in Magogoni, Lamu County, has inaugurated a fully furnished Gender Sensitive Office and unveiled upgraded maternity equipment, marking a major step in improving the welfare and inclusivity of naval personnel.

The ceremony, held on Wednesday, December 10, was presided over by Brigadier Lazarus Wafula, Commander of KNB Manda Bay, alongside Commander Senior Grade Gaard-Frederiksen, the Danish Liaison Officer.

The initiative comes under a strengthened security and development partnership between Kenya and the Kingdom of Denmark, with a shared focus on:

Gender inclusion

Capacity building

Countering violent extremism

Brigadier Wafula lauded the collaboration, noting that the project reflects a sustained effort to enhance the dignity, well-being, and operational readiness of Kenya Navy service members.
Role of the Gender Office

The newly launched Gender Sensitive Office will serve as a central hub for:

Gender-responsive welfare programs

Inclusive leadership development

Support systems for personnel safety

Advocacy for dignity and equal opportunities within the force

The Navy emphasized that promoting inclusion is crucial to maintaining a healthy, motivated, and mission-ready force.

The unveiling of new maternity equipment further strengthens the base’s healthcare capacity, ensuring better medical support for Navy personnel and their families. 

According to Brigadier Wafula, investing in the health of service members directly enhances operational efficiency.

Commander Gaard-Frederiksen reaffirmed Denmark’s deep security partnership with Kenya, stressing that modern military operations require more than firepower.

“Security operations go beyond guns and bullets; gender inclusion and the trust of local communities are critical enablers of stability and mission success,” he said.