Senior Research Scientist Freshwater Fisheries & Aquaculture Fisheries Ecology & Aquaculture Innovation Riverine Ecology • Indigenous Fish Conservation • Climate-Smart Aquaculture • Fish Breeding Location Mutonga Research Centre Years of Experience 1996–Present (30 Years at KMFRI) Current Role Centre Director, Mutonga Research Centre Research Interests Freshwater Fisheries and Riverine Ecology; Aquaculture and Fish Production Systems; Indigenous Fish Conservation and Captive Breeding; Climate-Smart Aquaculture Technologies; Aquaculture Nutrition and Feed Development; Environmental Impact Assessment and Blue Economy Research | Research Focus: Advancing freshwater fisheries ecology, riverine ecosystem management, aquaculture development, and indigenous fish conservation to enhance food and nutrition security through sustainable fisheries and aquaculture innovations. Dr. Elijah Migiro Kembenya is a Senior Research Scientist and Centre Director at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Mutonga Research Centre, Kenya. He holds a PhD in Fisheries and a master's degree in Limnology from Kisii University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquatic Science (Second Class Honours, Upper Division) from Moi University. He has also undertaken advanced professional training in Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, and Kenya in aquaculture, project development, scientific communication, and strategic leadership. Dr. Kembenya's research focuses on freshwater fisheries ecology, riverine ecosystem management, aquaculture development, fish breeding and conservation, climate-smart aquaculture, and fisheries resource management. His work has significantly contributed to the conservation and sustainable utilization of indigenous fish species, particularly in the Lake Victoria while advancing food and nutrition security through aquaculture innovations. He has successfully led and participated in numerous nationally important research projects and consultancy assignments, including ecological assessments for hydropower development, fish value chain improvement initiatives, and capacity-building programs for aquaculture stakeholders. His collaborative work with national and international institutions has resulted in the development of training manuals, policy-relevant technical resources, and over 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications, book chapters, and technical reports. As a member of professional organizations including the World Aquaculture Society and the Aquaculture Association of Kenya, Dr. Kembenya continues to promote evidence-based sustainable aquaculture technologies, fisheries management, and capacity building. His leadership at KMFRI Mutonga is strengthening riverine research, freshwater biodiversity conservation, and aquaculture innovation, with a vision of improving livelihoods, enhancing food security, and supporting sustainable management of Kenya's freshwater ecosystems. Research & Administrative Responsibility
Research Interest / Areas of Expertise
Academic Qualifications
Professional Membership
Selected Publications Kembenya, E., Getabu, A., Njiru, J., & Omondi, R. (2025). Population parameters of African Carp, Labeo victorianus (Cyprinidae) in River Kuja-Migori, Kenya. Sustainable Aquatic Research. Kembenya, E., Getabu, A., Njiru, J., & Omondi, R. (2024). Growth, mortality, exploitation, and recruitment patterns of Labeobarbus altianalis (Boulenger, 1900) in River Kuja-Migori, Kenya. Marine and Fishery Sciences. Obiero, K., Ogello, E., Munguti, J., Mboya, J., Kyule, D., Opiyo, M., ... & Kembenya, E. (2023). Future demand and supply of aquafeed ingredients: Outlines to commercialize non-conventional protein ingredients to enhance aquaculture production for food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management. Kembenya, E., Getabu, A., Njiru, J., & Omondi, R. (2022). Reproductive Biology of Ripon Barbel (Labeobarbus altianalis) In River Kuja-Migori Basin, Kenya. Research in Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, 9(2), 221–228. Kembenya, E., Getabu, A., Njiru, J., & Omondi, R. (2022). Some aspects of the reproductive biology of Labeo victorianus (Boulenger, 1901) from Kuja-Migori River basin, Kenya. Journal of Fisheries, 10(1): 101205. Kembenya, E., & Ondiba, R. O. (2021). Growth performance of male monosex and mixed sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) reared in cages, Lake Victoria, Kenya. International Aquatic Research. https://doi.org/10.22034/IAR.2021.1931627.1164 Kembenya, E., Marcial, H. S., Outa, N. O., Sakakura, Y., & Hagiwara, A. (2016). Captive Breeding of Threatened African Carp, Labeo victorianus, of Lake Victoria. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. doi: 10.1111/jwas.12328 Ogello, E. O., Kembenya, E. M., Githukia, C. M., Aera, C. N., Munguti, J. M., & Nyamweya, C. S. (2017). Substitution of fish meal with sunflower seed meal in diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) reared in earthen ponds. Journal of Applied Aquaculture. DOI: 10.1080/10454438.2016.1275074 Links |
