CS Hassan Joho Hints at Sending Home KEMFRI’s Top Leadership: “We Must Get Serious”

• The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute (KEMFRI) might soon be under a new leadership structure
• CS Hassan Joho hinted at making changes to the current leadership in a move he noted was aimed at revitalising the institute
• Joho also expressed concerns about how the institute was conducting its operations and called for a change

Mombasa: Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Joho, has hinted at a major leadership shake-up within the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute (KEMFRI).

Joho revealed that he will soon be appointing a new leader at the institute.

Why is Joho planning to make changes at KEMFRI leadership?

According to the CS, the move is part of broader efforts to revitalise the government-funded marine research body, which is headquartered along the Kenyan coastline.

He criticised the institute for producing numerous scientific reports that, he claimed, lack real economic value for coastal communities.

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"I have a problem with these KEMFRI fellows, and that's why there is going to be a new leader soon. We will appoint someone new soon, because it must not end without research,” Joho said.

“Shida ya hawa watu ni publishing tu. Wanapublish research kubwa (Their biggest problem is publishing. They publish large research work), then then it ends up sitting on shelves,” he added.

He made the remarks in Mombasa during a meeting with local fishermen under the Beach Management Units (BMU) network on Tuesday, August 11.

The CS argued that KEMFRI should have deliberate programs that support the fishermen economically.

“You should go beyond just writing reports. Some of these reports are gathering dust on the shelves, while the people meant to benefit from them suffer. We must get serious," he said.

What is the mandate of KEMFRI?

The Cabinet Secretary also questioned the tangible impact of KEMFRI’s multi-billion-shilling budget allocations, emphasising the need for more community-driven initiatives.

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He challenged the institute to directly engage and empower fishing communities through practical, on-the-ground programs.

"They do so huge, wonderful research, documented well, then you take it to Oxford University. All the research must have a money component; you must stop the act of staying in cold offices. You must engage the people and teach them ways of making money,” the CS said.

He also pointed out that the government is ready to give them (KEMFRI) more money if they show a tangible project impacting the real grassroots population.

KEMFRI is mandated to conduct research to support the sustainable use of marine and fisheries resources.

The institute is currently headed by James Mwaluma, who is serving as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

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Source: TUKO.co.ke