Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development Project

27/08/2026

20/08/2026

At KEMFSED, we are delighted to see our catalyst support to our strategic partner, Crabs Alive, bearing fruit through expanded partnerships that are promoting mariculture production and benefitting coastal communities.

20/08/2026

20/08/2026

Ms Susan Otieno has been appointed National Project Coordinator (NPC) of the KEMFSED Project, succeeding Patrick Kiara, who has retired from public service.
Ms Otieno, a fisheries expert, previously served as the Deputy Project Coordinator of KEMFSED. In her new role, she will lead the Project through its next phase and build on the progress made during Mr Kiara’s tenure.
Mr Kiara thanked the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Betsy Njagi, for the confidence, support and guidance extended to him during his tenure. He also expressed appreciation to the World Bank and other development partners, county governments, technical institutions, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders for their collaboration and support in implementing KEMFSED.
“I thank the World Bank and other partners for walking with us and for the partnership that enabled us to implement KEMFSED,” he said. “To County Governments, technical institutions, consultants, contractors and all our stakeholders, thank you for your cooperation and support.”
He also commended the dedication of the KEMFSED national and county teams and encouraged them to extend the same commitment and support to Ms Otieno.
“I am confident that Ms Susan Otieno will build on the work undertaken and continue to strengthen the collaboration between the Government of Kenya and the World Bank towards the successful completion of the Project."
We thank Mr Kiara for his leadership and dedicated service and wish him a fulfilling retirement. We congratulate Ms Otieno on her appointment and wish her success as she takes on her new role.

17/08/2026

We're glad to have supported the partnership with Crabs Alive, enabling 7 community groups in Kilifi and Lamu to benefit from the lucrative mud crab farming

07/08/2026

Kilifi Central and Kidongo (Mombasa) Fish Landing Site are among the key fisheries infrastructure projects developed through KEMFSED to strengthen fisheries management and improve service delivery across Kenya's five coastal counties of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River.
The investments include five modern fish landing sites—one in each coastal county— the National Mariculture and Resource Centre (NAMARET) and county fisheries offices.
The upgraded landing sites are equipped with modern fish handling facilities to reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality and enhance market access. They also include offices for Beach Management Units (BMUs), fish gear mending sheds, among other facilities.
NAMARET, in Shimoni, Kwale County, will house modern research facilities and a hatchery to serve fish farmers.
The upgraded other landing sites are located at Mwaepe in Kwale, Mokowe (Lamu) and Kipini (Tana River).
The county fisheries offices, located at Liwatoni (Mombasa), Old Ferry and Malindi (Kilifi), Mokowe (Lamu), Minjila (Tana River) and Msambweni (Kwale), serve as one-stop centres for fisheries services, improving coordination, management and service delivery to improve fisheries.
These are in addition to Uvuvi House, the fisheries headquarters in Nairobi that will house all fisheries functions at the national level.
Through these strategic investments, KEMFSED is strengthening fisheries infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for a more productive, sustainable and resilient fisheries sector.

06/08/2026

Today, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hon. Ali Hassan Joho, inspected the ongoing construction of Uvuvi House in Nairobi, one of the flagship infrastructure investments under KEMFSED.

Once completed, Uvuvi House will serve as the national hub for Kenya's fisheries sector. It will bring key fisheries functions under one roof to improve coordination, service delivery and support for the sustainable development of the sector.

The visit provided an opportunity to review construction progress and discuss measures being undertaken to ensure timely completion of the project. The Cabinet Secretary noted that the project has achieved 85% physical progress and commended all partners for their commitment and dedication in delivering this important national investment.
He encouraged the project team to maintain the current momentum to ensure the successful completion and handover of Uvuvi House.

The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for the Blue Economy and Fisheries, Ms. Betsy Njagi, the Principal Secretary for Mining, Mr. Harry Kimutai, and KEMFSED National Project Coordinator Mr. Patrick Kiara. Also present were representatives of contractors.
Through strategic investments in fisheries infrastructure, KEMFSED is strengthening institutions and creating an enabling environment for sustainable fisheries management and the growth of Kenya's Blue Economy.

17/06/2026

Today at the , we were honoured to host the Deputy President, H.E. Prof. Kithure Kindiki, and the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, H.E. Hassan Ali Joho, at the KEMFSED exhibition stand.

They were welcomed by KEMFSED National Project Coordinator Patrick Kiara and interacted with community representatives showcasing projects implemented through KEMFSED grants.

To date, KEMFSED has funded 1,263 community projects worth Ksh3.37 billion across Kenya’s coastal counties, supporting livelihoods and strengthening coastal community resilience.

16/06/2026

Day 1 of : Among the visitors to the KEMFSED stand, was the Senegalese delegation. They were welcomes by Deputy Project Coordinator Susan Otieno and had the opportunity to interact with community members and learn about their project to promote environmental conservation and enhance livelihoods. KEMFSED is showcasing community initiatives from all five coastal counties.

21/05/2026

After nearly two weeks of field visits and progress review meetings, the World Bank Implementation Support Mission to KEMFSED today concluded with a wrap-up meeting in Mombasa bringing together the full project team from the national office and the five coastal counties. The meeting was also attended by County Executive Committee Members and Chief Officers from the coastal counties.
The KEMFSED team, led by National Project Coordinator Patrick Kiara and Deputy National Project Coordinator Susan Otieno, presented an update on the project’s implementation progress and key achievements.
World Bank Task Team Leader Ben Miranga commended the team for the strong progress made, noting that the project remains well on track to achieve its targets. The focus now shifts to consolidating the gains, completing the remaining activities and preparing for project closure later this year.
The team is scheduled to brief Blue Economy and Fisheries Principal Secretary Betsy Njagi tomorrow.