Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, KMFRI, was established in 1980 under the Science and Technology Act, Cap 250 of 1979 after the collapse of the East Africa Community. Prior to that, marine and freshwater research was undertaken by the: East African Marine Fisheries Research Organization (EAMFRO) and the East African Freshwater Fisheries Research Organization (EAFFRO) respectively.

 

The mandate of KMFRI as defined by the Science and Technology Act, Cap 250 is to conduct research in “marine and freshwater fisheries, aquaculture, environmental and ecological studies, and marine research including chemical and physical oceanography”. The overall goal of this research agenda is to provide scientific data and information on the sustainable management of Kenya’s fisheries resources and aquatic environment, thus contributing to national strategies of food security, poverty alleviation and creation of employment as emphasized in the government’s policy of “Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation (2003 – 2007) and the National Development Plan (2002 – 2008). This will also contribute towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a UN global initiative which aims at reducing by half the population of the world’s poor b 2015.

 

Pursuant to the above mandate, KMFRI’s roles include inter alia to:

• Conduct multidisciplinary and collaborative research on fish ecology, population dynamics, stock assessment and general aquatic ecology
• Collect and disseminate scientific information on fisheries and other aquatic resources and related natural products
• Study and identify suitable species for culture including development, adoption and transfer of rearing technology and procedure
• Study physical and chemical processes that affect productivity of aquatic ecosystems
• Monitor the water quality and pollution in fresh and marine water environments
• Carry out socio-economic research on aspects relevant to fisheries, environment and other aquatic resources
• Offer training facilities to aquatic scientists

 

KMFRI is managed by a Board of Management appointed by the responsible Minister on a triennial cycle. The Board is responsible to the Minister for the management of the Institute. It has an appointed Chairman and the Director KMFRI is its Secretary. The Director has two Deputy Directors: one for marine and coastal research based in Mombasa and the other for Inland research based in Kisumu, and an Assistant Director (Finance and Administration) who are responsible for the day to day running of the Institute according to their respective mandates. Under each Deputy Director is an Assistant Director responsible for co-ordinating research and management at the respective Centres (please refer to the Organogram next page). However, currently this management structure is being reviewed with a view to make it more responsible and effective in terms of delivery of core services.