Senior Research Scientist Limnology Research Environmental Geochemistry & Water Quality Trace Metals • Microplastics • Eutrophication • Ecotoxicology Location Kisumu Research Centre Years of Experience 1989 to date (37 years at KMFRI) Research Interests Anthropogenic impacts on trace metals, organic contaminants & microplastics pollution in aquatic ecosystems; Monitoring water hyacinth and its potential in phytoremediation; Watershed impacts, wet-dry deposition and eutrophication in inland water bodies; Fish waste utilization, cage aquaculture impacts on water and surficial sediments quality; Biomonitors, wastewater and solid waste management technologies; Ecotoxicology and bioassessments; Cyanotoxins monitoring in aquatic environments; Sedimentary environments and sediment biodiversity, pore water studies, sedimentation processes, and biogeochemical cycles; Use of GIS techniques in natural resources planning and management; Environmental impact assessments (EIA) for sustainable environmental management | Research Focus: Understanding sources, distribution, concentration levels and effects of environmental contaminants in lentic and riverine ecosystems; and water quality monitoring in different watersheds in Kenya, to inform and guide the sustainable management of inland fisheries and water resources. Job Mwamburi is a Senior Research Scientist (SRS) at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Freshwater Systems, Limnology Research Department, Kisumu Research Centre, where he has served from 1989 to date. He is involved and has participated in several collaborative and individual research projects and activities, geared towards understanding sources, distribution, concentration levels and effects of environmental contaminants in lentic and riverine ecosystems; and water quality monitoring in different watersheds in Kenya, to inform and guide the sustainable management of inland fisheries and water resources. He was a task coordinator on monitoring of pollution in Lake Victoria (2010-2012) under Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP) Phase II. He coordinated multidisciplinary research projects under the KMFRI's Ecology and Environment Research Program (2003-2004; 2007-2012); and the Fish Biology and Biodiversity Conservation sub-component of the Fisheries Research Component under LVEMP phase I from January 2004-2006. He participated in the water quality monitoring program (WQMP) Technical Coordination Committee, under the Lake Victoria South Water Services Board (LVSWSB) and was a member of the Cyanobacteria monitoring program (2019). Research results and information is documented in several scientific publications and has been disseminated in international, national and regional conferences, workshops and seminars. Research Focus
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Selected Publications Mwamburi J. (2026). The physico-chemical characteristics, total trace and major elements in water and surficial sediments during drought conditions in the highly turbid perennial rivers, hotspring and lake Baringo, Kenya. Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology, 25: 1-27. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajee/2026/v25i7959 Mwamburi J., Aura C.M., Akama, E., Mwanchi, J., Sharon, M., Nyamweya, C.S., Achiya, J., Onduso, G. (2026). Monitoring the spatio-temporal variations of nutrients, physico-chemical variables and influences on the fish species within a shallow embayment of Winam Gulf (Lake Victoria, Kenya). Journal of Environmental Reports, 8:147-171. https://doi.org/10.51470/ER.2026.8.147 Otieno, D., Mwamburi, J., Sitoki, L., Omondi, R., Shitandi, A., Owuor, B., Bullerjah, G.S., Otiso, K.M., McKay, R.M., Drouillard, K.G., NSF-IRES Lake Victoria Consortium (2025). Locally produced fish food pellets yield little evidence as dietary substrate for net-pen reared Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Lake Victoria, Kenya. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 51: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2025.102686 Mwamburi J., Miruka, J.B., Guya, F., Wawiye, P., Morara, G.B., Ongore, C., Nyaundi, J.M.K., Aura, C.M., Nyamweya, C.S., Muli, R.M. (2025). The spatio-temporal changes in water quality and influences on the phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish species in four large riverine ecosystems in Lake Victoria, Kenya. Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology, 24(10):14-45. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajee/2025/v24i1079 Mwamburi J. (2025). Ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs): A review of occurrence, abundances, spatial distribution and future effects in the surface waters (Kenya). Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology, 24(6):263-281. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajee/2025/v24i6741 Mwamburi, J. (2024). Status of Trace Elements' Concentrations in Lake Baringo's Catchment in Kenya: A Review. Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology 23 (12):47-68. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajee/2024/v23i12634 Mwamburi J. (2024). Spatial Trends of Cadmium and Zinc Concentrations in Water and Enrichments in Surficial Sediments Within Nyanza (Winam) Gulf of Lake Victoria (East Africa). Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology 23 (12):165-86. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajee/2024/v23i12641 Aura, C. M., Humphrey, O.S., Marriott, A. L., Watts, M.J., Ongore, C. O., Mwamburi, J., Osano, O., Cofey, T.J. (2024). Assessing the spatial distribution of elemental concentrations in surface sediments of Lake Victoria, Kenya: implications for ecological health and management. Environ Geochem Health 46:137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-01930-7 Links |
