Nancy Karigithu is a maritime law expert with 29 year experience and currently serves as the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Maritime and Shipping Affairs of Kenya.

Current positions: Member, board of governors of the World Maritime University, based in Malmo, Sweden.

Member, governing council of the Association of Women in the Maritime Sector in Eastern and Southern Africa (Womesa).

Previous positions: Chair of the International Maritime Organisation technical co-operation committee.

State counsel, Office of the Attorney General.

Assistant corporation secretary, Kenya Ports Authority.

Transport expert, African Union.

Chairperson, Womesa.

Director General, Kenya Maritime Authority.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Nairobi

Master’s degree in international maritime law from the IMO International Maritime Law Institute, Malta.