About the Directorate
The Directorate of Freshwater Systems Research studies the chemical and physical processes that drive the productivity of Kenya’s inland aquatic ecosystems — monitoring water quality and pollution while advancing fish quality control, post-harvest preservation and value-addition technologies.
Working across Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana, Lake Baringo and other inland waters, the Directorate generates the scientific data needed for the sustainable management of freshwater fisheries, food security and the inland Blue Economy.
Departments & Sections
Four departments deliver the Directorate’s inland aquatic research mandate.
Freshwater Fisheries
Provides scientific data for the sustainable management of freshwater fisheries resources, supporting food security and economic development.
Limnology Research
Initiates, plans and implements research that promotes the sustainable use and management of inland aquatic resources.
Laboratory Services
Delivers analytical, water-quality and biological sample processing for the freshwater and aquaculture directorates.
Maritime Services
Operates research vessels supporting field campaigns across Kenya’s inland lakes and rivers.
Research Focus Areas
From ecosystem productivity to value addition across Kenya’s inland waters.
Ecosystem Productivity
Chemical and physical processes affecting the productivity of inland aquatic ecosystems.
Water Quality & Pollution
Monitoring and assessment of water quality and pollution in inland waters.
Fish Quality & Post-Harvest
Fish quality control and post-harvest preservation to reduce losses.
Value Addition
Technologies that add value to inland fisheries products and improve livelihoods.
Fisheries Socio-economics
Socio-economic research on fisheries, environment and aquatic resources.
Stock Assessment & Suitability
Hydroacoustic stock assessment, water-balance studies and cage-culture suitability.
Lakes, Programmes & Partners
Key water bodies and flagship collaborations driving inland research.
Key Water Bodies
Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana and Lake Baringo — with stock assessments, water-balance studies and cage-aquaculture suitability evaluations.
Flagship Programmes
SAWA cage-culture spatial planning on Lake Victoria, the Lake Turkana Climate & Ecosystem Study, and the Aquaculture Business Development Programme.
Research Partners
Maseno, Kisii, Eldoret, Egerton and Pwani Universities and the Turkana Basin Institute, with Cornell, Stony Brook, Bowling Green, King’s College London and LVFO.