Kenyan authorities have launched a high-level investigation after a foreign luxury yacht named SALT docked off the Kilifi coast without proper clearance from the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
The sleek 62-meter superyacht, flying the British Virgin Islands flag, arrived on Thursday afternoon, immediately drawing attention for its grand design and opulence. However, what began as public curiosity quickly escalated into a national security concern, prompting swift intervention from agencies including the Kenya Navy and Immigration Department.
Unclear Entry and Unpaid Fees
According to police reports, SALT had departed Dubai, carrying six passengers and a 20-member international crew. The passengers were identified as nationals from Vanuatu and the Philippines, while the crew hailed from the UK, Estonia, South Africa, Poland, Italy, Seychelles, and Romania.
Investigations revealed that while Port Health, Immigration, Customs, and the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) cleared the vessel, KPA was never officially notified nor paid the mandatory $6,000 docking fee. Instead, a rogue local clearing agent reportedly pocketed $11,000 meant for the clearance process, bypassing security protocols.
Weapons Found Onboard
A multi-agency inspection involving the Kenya Navy, Kilifi County Health Department, and Customs officials reportedly uncovered four sniper rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition aboard the yacht. Some bullets were found packed in boxes, while others were loose.
Following the discovery, Kilifi North Deputy County Commissioner Samuel Mutisya chaired a high-level security meeting attended by officials from the Kenya Coast Guard Service and other agencies. The Kenya Navy later conducted a technical inspection of all four decks but found no additional weapons or suspicious materials.
A Family Holiday Gone Wrong
By Friday evening, Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno convened another meeting to assess the incident. A senior officer at the meeting revealed that the passengers were a family on vacation, accompanied by their nannies.
“They had come for leisure and nothing more. Unfortunately, they fell into the hands of a rogue agent,” the officer told Nation.
The same officer disclosed that authorities are investigating a KPA official suspected of colluding with the agent, noting that the two maintained constant communication throughout the yacht’s arrival.
Ongoing Investigations
Despite the irregular entry, authorities have allowed the passengers and crew to continue their stay in Kilifi as investigations proceed. Security teams are now working to regularize the vessel’s documentation before granting it permission to depart Kenyan waters.
As of Sunday afternoon, the yacht remained anchored off the coast. Built in 2020 by CRN Yachts, SALT — previously known as Voice — is valued at approximately KSh 9.7 billion. The four-deck superyacht features luxurious interiors, world-class amenities, and cutting-edge design, representing the pinnacle of private maritime luxury.
