Kenya has won a seat in the UN body that determines international maritime borders at a time there is renewed scramble for sea wealth off the East Africa coast.

Simon Njuguna has been elected as member of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf — a subsidiary of the United Nations Convection on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The geologist and geographic information system (GIS) specialist will serve a five-year-term beginning this week, UNCLOS said in a statement.

Mozambique, that recently struck huge reserves of gas, will join Kenya in the commission as representatives of the eastern Africa.

The election of Mr Njuguna could buoy the country’s chances of mapping-out its maritime borders in areas already coveted by Tanzania and Somalia.

READ: Kenya battles for slot on UN maritime body

East Africa has become a hot spot for oil and gas exploration, spurred by new finds in waters off countries including Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique.