Research Officer KMFRI – Socio-Economics Directorate Socio-Economics & Blue Growth Community Welfare • Resource Exploitation • Policy Development Email: ewaiyaki@kmfri.go.ke Research Focus Examining how local coastal communities exploit coastal and marine resources for subsistence and commercial welfare, while assessing the effects of this exploitation on the state of the resources. Academic Qualifications MA (Social Policy for Development)
BA (Economics) Research Location & Specialization KMFRI Mombasa Research Centre
Department: Socio-Economics
Specialization: Socio-economic issues relating to the exploitation of coastal and marine resources by local communities | Leadership Focus: Advancing understanding of coastal community resource use dynamics, promoting sustainable blue growth pathways, and integrating social dimensions into marine policy for inclusive and equitable development. Mr. E. Waiyaki is a Research Officer within KMFRI's Socio-Economics Directorate, based at the Mombasa Research Centre. His research focuses on understanding the complex relationships between coastal communities and the marine resources upon which they depend for their livelihoods. The core of his work examines the ways in which local coastal communities exploit coastal and marine resources for their subsistence and commercial welfare, while also critically assessing the effects of this exploitation on the state of the resources. This dual focus ensures that both human well-being and environmental sustainability are considered in an integrated manner. By analyzing the trade-offs between resource use and conservation, Mr. Waiyaki's research provides essential evidence to guide policy decisions that support both community livelihoods and the long-term health of Kenya's coastal and marine ecosystems. Research Interests Social Dimensions of Climate Change Blue Growth Pathways – Kenya's Coastal Communities Artisanal Marine Fisheries Market Systems Community Resource Use Dynamics Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Key Research Contributions - Community Benefits & Environmental Impacts – Authored research examining community benefits and impacts associated with Lakes Chala and Jipe in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, exploring the critical tension between "short-term gain" and "long-term loss" in resource use (Kenya Aquatica Journal 2022).
- Coral Reef Rehabilitation & Community Perspectives – Co-authored research on the socioeconomic impacts of coral reef rehabilitation, documenting community perspectives from Wasini on the south coast of Kenya (Kenya Aquatica Journal 2021).
- Economic & Financial Impact Assessment (EFIA) – Contributed to the comprehensive Economic and Financial Impact Assessment for Marine Fisheries in Kenya (KMFRI Technical Report 2018), providing critical data for fisheries policy and investment decisions.
Analytical & Methodological Expertise Socio-Economic Assessment – Proficient in evaluating the social and economic impacts of marine resource use, conservation interventions, and policy changes on coastal community welfare. Market Systems Analysis – Specialized in understanding artisanal marine fisheries market systems, including value chains, market access, pricing dynamics, and livelihood outcomes for small-scale fishers. Climate Change & Social Dimensions – Expertise in examining how climate variability and change affect coastal communities' livelihoods, adaptive capacities, and resource use strategies. Mr. E. Waiyaki's research within KMFRI's Socio-Economics Directorate brings essential social science perspectives to marine resource management – strengthening the Institute's capacity to understand the delicate balance between community welfare and resource sustainability, develop inclusive blue growth pathways for Kenya's coastal communities, and ensure that fisheries policies are grounded in rigorous analysis of both economic outcomes and social equity considerations. |
