Scientist

Dr. Jonathan Munguti

Director, Aquaculture

Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute

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Chief Research Scientist

Director – Aquaculture Directorate

Fish Nutrition & Aquaculture Systems

Feed Formulation • Climate Smart Aquaculture • Food Security

Email: jmunguti@kmfri.go.ke Email: jmunguti2000@gmail.com

Current Role & Experience

Director & Head of Aquaculture Directorate – KMFRI
Over 20 years academic and research experience
Coordinator of research and administrative functions aligned to Institute's strategic plan

Academic Qualifications

PhD (Natural Resources & Life Sciences with Distinction) – BOKU, Vienna, Austria
MSc in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
B.Ed. Education Science
Post-Graduate Diploma – Intensive Aquaculture Production (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

Leadership Training

Strategic Leadership Development Program (SLDP)
Senior Management Course – Kenya School of Government

Leadership Focus: Driving sustainable aquaculture development through innovative fish nutrition research, climate-smart technologies, and strategic policy guidance for Kenya's blue economy and food security agenda.

Dr. Jonathan Munguti holds a PhD Degree in Natural Resources and Life Sciences (with Distinction) from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria. He is a Chief Research Scientist at KMFRI, serving as Director and Head of the Aquaculture Directorate, responsible for coordinating research and administrative functions to ensure activities align with the Institute's strategic plan, vision, and mandate.

During his academic and research experience spanning over 20 years, Dr. Munguti has collaborated in the development of donor-funded research projects at national, regional, and international levels, including BOMOSA EU, ESP, KAPAP, and KCSAP Projects. He has authored over 70 scientific publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, books/book chapters, conference proceedings, and technical and consultancy reports.

Dr. Munguti is an Editor and Reviewer for several international peer-reviewed journals, including Aquaculture Research Journal, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems and Aquatic Foods, Journal of World Aquaculture Society, People and Nature, Aquaculture, and Fish and Fisheries. He has served as a Joint Secretary to the National Aquaculture Development Working Group and has vast knowledge of fish nutrition, having headed several National Taskforces, including the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) Feed Component aimed at promoting aquaculture growth through quality and affordable fish feeds.

Research Interests & Specializations

Fish Nutrition & Feed Formulation Alternative Fish Feed Ingredients Fish Health Management Water Quality Management Climate Smart Aquaculture Biofloc Technology Probiotics in Aquaculture Aquaculture Policy Briefs

Key Leadership & Advisory Roles

Facilitator – Fisheries and Aquaculture Module, International MSc Program in Limnology & Wetland Ecosystems (Egerton University & BOKU Austria, supported by UNESCO-IHE DELFT)
Supervision – Successfully supervised 5 PhD students and 21 MSc students from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Austria, and the Netherlands
Taskforce Member – Kenya Agriculture Sector Transformation & Development Strategy (ASTDS)
Member – National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) for National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP)
Member – Research Grants Management Committee (RGMC), World Bank Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP)
Member – KMFRI Scientific and Technical Management Committee (guides research agenda for the organization)
Joint Secretary – National Aquaculture Development Working Group

Key Research Contributions & Publications

Insect-Based Aquafeeds – Published research on efficiency and improved profitability of insect-based aquafeeds for Nile tilapia farming (Animals 2021) and growth performance using Black soldier fly larvae meal (Die Bodenkultur 2021).
Selective Breeding for Genetic Diversity – Led research on selective breeding of Nile tilapia for increased genetic diversity and sustainable aquaculture development (Journal of Applied Aquaculture 2021).
Biofloc Technology – Authored research on prospects of biofloc technology (BFT) for sustainable aquaculture development (Scientific African 2021).
Fish Feeds & Feed Management – Published key limitations, challenges, and opportunities in Kenya's aquaculture feed sector (African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition & Development 2021; Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 2021).
Aqua-Feed Wastes & Mitigations – Authored comprehensive review on aqua-feed wastes impact on natural systems and practical mitigations (Journal of Agricultural Science 2020).
Fish Health Management & Biosecurity – Published research on status of fish health management and biosecurity measures in fish farms, cages, and hatcheries in Western Kenya (CABI Agriculture and Bioscience 2022).
Integration of Sea Cucumber & Cockles – Researched integration of sea cucumber and cockles with shrimp culture in earthen ponds (Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 2021).

Books & Major Publications

Lead Editor – State of Aquaculture Report 2021 – "Towards Nutrition Sensitive Fish Food Production Systems" (KMFRI, 2021, 190pp). Also lead editor for State of Aquaculture in Kenya (2017).

Editor – Training of Trainers' Manual for Climate Smart Aquaculture Practices (KALRO, 2020).
Co-author – Fish Recipe Book, Volume 1 (Kenya Literature Bureau, 2017).
Co-author – Good Aquaculture Practices for Seed Production in Kenya (Kenya Literature Bureau, 2017).

Chapter Contributions: Multiple book chapters in State of Aquaculture in Kenya (2017, 2021) covering aquaculture overview, status, research, education, policy frameworks, and socioeconomic impacts.

Policy & Research Briefs: Kenya's Aquaculture Brief 2017; KCSAP research briefs on social behaviour change communication, fish production and marketing for food and nutrition security in Western Kenya.

Dr. Jonathan Munguti's leadership as Director of the Aquaculture Directorate at KMFRI brings over two decades of unparalleled expertise in fish nutrition, feed formulation, and climate-smart aquaculture – strengthening the Institute's capacity to develop cost-effective and sustainable feed solutions, advance multi-institutional and interdisciplinary research, validate and upscale climate-smart technologies, innovations, and management practices (TIMPs), and provide strategic policy direction for the sustainable growth of Kenya's aquaculture industry toward national food and nutrition security.