Kenya’s Warning: Shutdown Looms for Malindi Space Station
Kenya has threatened to close down the Italian-operated Malindi Space Station due to repeated violations of the bilateral agreement by the Kilifi County-based Luigi Broglio Space Centre.
In an official statement, the National Assembly Committee on Implementation, led by Budalangi member of parliament Raphael Wanjala, expressed regret over Italy’s breach of contract. This could result in the closure of the station if the Italian partners do not comply with the terms of the agreement.
The Committee was especially frustrated with the Italian Space Agency’s chief executive officer, who was conspicuously absent from a scheduled meeting. Despite prior notification of the Committee’s plans to tour the space center and conduct discussions, this absence occurred.
“If we cannot find the proper person to answer our questions, we may be forced to terminate this agreement per its termination clause. The Italian side was given advance notice, but the CEO’s absence from this crucial meeting demonstrates an utter lack of commitment to this process, Wanjala complained.
After Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale questioned the space station’s failure to pay annual rent and remit money collected from third parties, legislators questioned whether the project benefited Kenyans.
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After touring the facility on Friday, August 11, and speaking with personnel at the Italian Space Centre, the members of parliament emphasized that the concerns raised by the CS are grave and require urgent resolution.
The MPs reiterated that the primary objective of the project was to serve Kenyans and that the ongoing and repeated violations of the agreement are impeding the achievement of this objective.
Although the bilateral agreement between Kenya and Italy, signed in December 2020, is intended to be in effect for the foreseeable future, Kenya may withdraw from the accord in light of recent events.
Patrick Mariru, the Principal Secretary for Defense, pleaded with the Committee for a speedy resolution to this matter, highlighting the fact that the Ministry has already emphasized the concerns in detail.
The PS stated, “We have engaged at various levels on this issue, and it is your responsibility as the people’s representative to guide us. Having had prior discussions on this matter, we defer to this Committee for guidance on how to proceed.”
Roberto Natali, the Italian ambassador to Kenya, and officials from the Kenya Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency were also present at the meeting.
In August, when he revealed the Italian agency’s violation of agreements, Defence CS Duale disclosed that Italy had not compensated Kenya for the 3.5 hectares on which the facility is built.
Other issues cited by the CS included the facility’s withholding of Kenyan data, citing a lack of transparency and accountability on the part of the opposite party.
Duale stated, “It is in the best interest of the Italian government to come quickly and resolve this issue on behalf of the Italian space agency.”
Kenya’s Warning: Shutdown Looms for Malindi Space Station
