High Court Orders Kenya Navy to Take Control of MV Igor ‘Mashaallah’

The Kenyan Navy has been given a green light to take over the management of the MV Igor, christened “Mashaallah,” after the High Court issued a preservation order, restricting any dealings with the vessel.

Deputy Registrar, High Court Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division, Evelyn Gaithuma,  issued the orders on Thursday, December 11, 2025, directing the commander of the Kenya Navy to manage and safeguard the vessel.

"Mashaalah" boat was seized on October 20, 2025, by the Kenya Navyand is currently in custody at the Kenyan Navy base in Mtongwe, in Mombasa county.

The order was issued after an application by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA0 under the Proceeds of Crime and  Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).

According to Njuguna, Individuals associated with the boat, which does not have any registered owner, will be prohibited from selling, transferring its ownership, and disposing of the boat once it is in the Kenya Navy's hands.

"THAT this Honourable Court be pleased to issue a preservation order restraining the Interested Party, his employees, agents and/or representatives acting on his behalf, prohibiting the sale, transfer or disposing off or other dealings with the boat MV Igor christened as “MASHAALLAH” which has no registered owner and currently in the custody of Kenya Navy Mtongwe," the order read.

Furthermore, the court has directed the Director General  Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) to also restrict the movement of the boat.

The Kenyan Navy takes over a boat's management and control primarily for maritime security, anti-piracy, counter-terrorism, or enforcing laws in Kenyan waters.

This happens if the vessel is suspected to be involved in unlawful activities like smuggling, piracy, or poses a security threat.

Just four months ago, the Navy, in collaboration with other security teams, including  DCI, the Kenya Coast Guard, and NACADA, intercepted a boat with six Iranian Nationals that was ferrying drugs worth more than Ksh8 billion.

The vessel was intercepted on Saturday, October 26, 2025, about 630 kilometres east of the coast of Mombasa, before being escorted to the port.

The boat was put on radar by Kenyan security agencies after regional and international partners alerted them about a suspicious boat roaming in the Western Indian Ocean.

DCI Director Mohamed Amin said that after the vessel was impounded, security agencies got a court order allowing them to inspect its contents.