Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development Project

Representatives of communities 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.

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

KEMFSED is currently hosting a delegation for the World Bank on an Implementation Support Mission to the project. The team started its field visits in Kwale County.

Safer fishing trips and bigger earnings!
This sums up the story of Zahra Self-Help Group in Kiunga, Lamu County.
The group’s fortunes changed after they a KEMFSED grant and bought a modern fibre-glass boat fitted with a powerful engine. Previously, the fishers relied on a small ageing wooden boat that made fishing trips risky and slow. Reaching productive fishing grounds took longer. Delayed returns often meant losing buyers and wasting part of their catch. Despite their vast experience, the fishers sometimes stayed at home because they could not risk being caught in bad weather.
Today, the group can travel farther into fish-rich waters and return faster with larger catches of high-quality and . The improved efficiency and safety have significantly boosted incomes, with some members now earning up to KSh50,000. Lamu County Government

Members of the IBSA Self Help Group in County are reaping big from watermelon farming, thanks to a grant from the KEMFSED Project. Using the funds, the group drilled a borehole and installed a solar-powered water supply system, enabling irrigation on their 10-acre farm.
In the last season alone, they harvested 10 tonnes of watermelons, boosting incomes and improving livelihoods for the community.

Lamu County Government

is renowned for its centuries-old boat-building tradition, with local craftsmen producing sturdy wooden dhows that continue to transport people and goods across the islands and fishers to the deep sea, sustaining Lamu’s position as one of the country’s largest fish producers. To help sustain this heritage, the Project funded the KIshada Self-Help Group to establish a modern community boatyard in Faza. Equipped with modern boat-building and repair tools, the workshop is creating jobs while preserving an important cultural tradition and local knowledge. The project has also become a major source of community pride, ranking among the largest in Lamu County.

Watch the video:

Kishada Self-Help Group Boatyard With a grant from KEMFSED, Kishada Self-Help Group has built the biggest boatyard on Faza Island in Lamu County.

How to you say Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) in Kiswahili? Upangaji Wa Maeneo ya Bahari.

Language affirms our identify. It is empowering.
It also enhances inclusion and participation in public affairs.
That's why we have embraced Kiswahili in the MSP process. .

Download this resource: Maelezo ya Istilahi Za Upangaji Wa Maeneo ya Bahari Ya Kenya/MSP Glossary via this link: https://shorturl.at/5BaIM

Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development Project