By Rupert Fee & Sophia Naves, ShipMoney Communications
When the MV Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair, docked in Mombasa in August 2023, it drew thousands of visitors eager to explore its literary treasures. But one of the ship’s most remarkable stories wasn’t found on a bookshelf, it was found in the engine room. There, behind the hum of machinery and technical precision, was Christine Chongwo, serving as First Engineer and quietly making maritime history.
Christine’s journey began in the Kerio Valley, Baringo County, where she was raised as the second last born in a family of 12. From mud-walled classrooms to boarding school, she navigated early challenges with resilience and academic excellence, eventually graduating high school with top marks and enrolling in mechatronics engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Her career aspirations took a turn during a university trip to Mombasa, where the port city’s maritime life captured her imagination. Soon after, she applied for a Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) opportunity, just in time and eventually earned a spot in an international marine engineering training program in Australia, where she graduated as the top student.
Christine later joined MV Logos Hope for her cadetship, sailing 12 months nonstop, and became the first Kenyan woman to earn the Officer of the Watch certificate in 2018. She rose to First Engineer after earning her Class 2 Certificate of Competency and has spent the past decade gaining experience across international waters and technical roles. In 2024, she obtained her Chief Engineer and Limited Licences—making her one of the very few women in the world to hold such qualifications.
Today, Christine is pursuing a new chapter not just at sea, but in policy and leadership. She is currently studying for a Master’s of Humanities in International Maritime Legislation at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) in Malta. Established in 1988 under the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization, IMLI trains specialists in maritime law, safety, and governance.
Christine’s goal? To return to Kenya as a government surveyor of ships, setting standards, shaping the future of maritime safety, and mentoring the next generation of women maritime professionals.
At ShipMoney, we’re proud to share stories like Christine’s. From a small Kenyan village to the engine rooms of international ships and now to the halls of one of the world’s top maritime law institutions, Christine’s journey is a beacon for what’s possible when talent meets tenacity.
Her story is far from over, but it’s already making waves.
