KMFRI conducts foundational and applied research across Kenya's marine, freshwater, and aquaculture ecosystems — generating the evidence that sustains fisheries, develops the blue economy, and protects the waters that 40 million Kenyans depend on.
KMFRI serves researchers, policymakers, fish farmers, students, investors, and the Kenyan public. Select your pathway.
The Indian Ocean's Kenyan coast, Lake Victoria, and Kenya's inland waters support the livelihoods of millions. KMFRI is the institution mandated to understand these systems, quantify their value, and provide the scientific basis for their sustainable development.
Source: KMFRI Catch Assessment Programme. Annual frame surveys at 47 landing beaches. Data updated annually.
KMFRI's four research programs cover every major aquatic ecosystem in Kenya — from the Lamu archipelago to Lake Turkana, from coral reefs to tilapia hatcheries.
KMFRI's oceanographic and coastal research spans catch assessment at 15 landing sites across all five coastal counties, RV Mtafiti deep-sea and continental shelf surveys, coral reef ecology and restoration in Kwale and Kilifi, and long-term hydrographic monitoring of Kenya's Exclusive Economic Zone.
Ecology and fisheries monitoring across Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana, Lake Naivasha, and Kenya's major river catchments — tracking biodiversity, water quality, and stock health at 47 lake landing beaches.
Species breeding programs, feed formulation, disease diagnostics, and hatchery technology development — principally for Nile tilapia, African catfish, and emerging marine aquaculture species.
KMFRI's research leaves the laboratory. These are documented cases where our science has changed policy, improved livelihoods, or protected a fishery.
Stock assessment findings from KMFRI's Lake Victoria catch assessment programme were directly cited in legislative committee proceedings and shaped revised catch quota provisions in Kenya's updated fisheries legislation. The quotas cover Nile tilapia, Nile perch, and dagaa across the Kenyan EEZ of Lake Victoria.
Selective breeding research developed at KMFRI's Sangoro Aquaculture Research Station in Kisumu County has been scaled and adopted by commercial and smallholder fish farmers across Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Busia, Siaya, and Vihiga counties, improving growth rates and feed conversion ratios.
KMFRI maintains and publishes Kenya's primary repository of marine, freshwater, and aquaculture data. Our datasets support researchers, policymakers, planners, and investors making decisions about Kenya's aquatic resources.
KMFRI's research is conducted in partnership with leading research institutions, government bodies, development organisations, and international science networks.
KMFRI is open to new institutional partnerships in research, capacity building, and program co-delivery.
Six oceanographic buoys between Shimoni and Lamu will provide real-time data on sea surface temperature, salinity, and current patterns.
Read More →KMFRI will host the regional conference bringing scientists and policymakers from 11 Indian Ocean states. Abstract submissions open.
Submit Abstract →The selective tilapia breeding programme recognised at Kenya National Innovation Week for its contribution to food security.
Read More →KMFRI invites applications for fully-funded PhD research positions in marine ecology, aquaculture genetics, and freshwater systems.
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