Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development Project

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.

20/05/2026

Communities near Kiunga in Lamu are breathing a sigh of relief after a new radiology unit, co-funded by the KEMFSED and the County Government , was established at the local dispensary in Kiunga. Previously, patients often had to travel to Lamu Island for diagnostic services. Some could spend up to Ksh10,000 on transport alone. The new facility is now bringing these essential services much closer to the community, easing both the financial and physical burden of accessing healthcare.
The facility was funded at cost of Ksh7.9 million.
Lamu County shared a video of the progress.

19/05/2026

Matondoni in Lamu is one of the country’s leading producers of . But for years, fishers lost a significant share of their catch before it could be properly dried and preserved for sale. A KEMFSED grant to Matondoni Tarazak is transforming livelihoods. The group’s new solar dryer allows fishers to dry 50kg of prawns in 5 hours, earning about Ksh 100,000 from each batch. The facility also processes other fish and mangoes to diversify local income. Lamu, Kenya See less

18/05/2026

The World Bank Implementation Support Mission to KEMFSED Project continued today, with project teams presenting progress reports on interventions aimed at strengthening fisheries governance.
The first session focused on efforts to enhance co-management of nearshore fisheries. It was jointly presented with County Directors of Fisheries from the five coastal counties, which are leading implementation of plans for Joint Co-Management Areas (JCMAs) established with KEMFSED support.
Other sessions covered Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS), priority fisheries stock assessments, development of the national Fisheries Information Management System (FIMS), efforts to increase mariculture production, and the process to develop Kenya's Marine Spatial Plan (MSP).
The Mission continues tomorrow, when counties will present progress and achievements under the project’s Component 2, which focuses on empowering coastal communities through enhanced livelihoods.

15/05/2026

15/05/2026

Today, the KEMFSED team supporting the implementation of co-management activities, together with County Directors of Fisheries from the five coastal counties, held a progress review meeting as part of the ongoing World Bank Implementation Support Mission.

The meeting was chaired by KEMFSED Deputy National Project Coordinator, who noted the impressive achievements realized through collaboration with the counties and Beach Management Units in rolling out various interventions under the JCMAs. These include advancing planned fisheries closures, promoting mangrove and coral conservation, and strengthening BMU operations.
World Bank Consultant Jason Rubens indicated that the project was well on track to achieve its objectives in management of the nearshore fisheries.

15/05/2026

has funded 90 social projects worth KSh 657 million that have improved access to essential services such as health, education, and clean water across the five coastal counties.

One of the 26 social projects in Lamu County is a new radiology unit in Kiunga, bringing critical diagnostic services closer to the community in this hard-to-reach area and reducing the need for long-distance travel in search of healthcare.

14/05/2026

Community members from five Beach Management Units (BMUs) from Kilifi County have launched a major coral restoration initiative at Mradi, marking another important step in strengthening community-led marine conservation under the local Joint Co-Management Area (JCMA).

Fishers and fish traders from Kanamai, Kidongo, Kuruwitu, Marina and Mtwapa BMUs joined conservation experts to begin the process of restoring degraded coral reefs — critical habitats that support fish breeding, coastal biodiversity and local livelihoods.

The first phase of the coral gardening process involves constructing the structures that will support coral nurseries and new coral colonies across a 0.5-hectare restoration site. The structures will be deployed underwater and the garden established in coming weeks.
The area was identified as highly vulnerable through assessments conducted jointly by the community and scientists from the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI).
Supported by KEMFSED, the restoration work forms part of implementing the Joint Co-Management Area plan, through which neighbouring BMUs are working together to sustainably manage shared marine resources, and strengthen fisheries governance.
The initiative builds on earlier success in nearby Bureni, where community-led coral gardens have already been established.

14/05/2026

The World Bank Implementation Support Mission continued today with a visit to Kilifi County.