Kenya's High Court has issued a preservation order directing the Kenya Navy to manage the vessel MV Igor, christened Mashaallah, seized on October 20, 2025. The boat, with no registered owner, is held at the Mtongwe base in Mombasa County. The ruling prohibits any sales, transfers, or dealings with the vessel.
The High Court of Kenya, through Deputy Registrar Evelyn Gaithuma of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division, issued the preservation order on December 11, 2025, directing the Kenya Navy commander to manage and safeguard the MV Igor, known as Mashaallah. This followed an application by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
The vessel was seized by the Kenya Navy on October 20, 2025, and remains in custody at the Mtongwe base in Mombasa County. The court's order states: "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."
Additionally, the court instructed the Director General of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) to restrict the boat's movement. The Kenya Navy assumes control of vessels for maritime security, anti-piracy, counter-terrorism, or law enforcement in Kenyan waters, particularly if suspected of involvement in illegal activities such as smuggling or piracy.
This case echoes a recent incident where the Navy, alongside the DCI, Kenya Coast Guard, and NACADA, intercepted a boat carrying six Iranian nationals with drugs valued over Ksh8 billion on October 26, 2025, about 630 kilometres east of Mombasa. The vessel was tracked after alerts from regional and international partners.
