ReSea project supports Kenyan marine and coastal research

The equipment will support the Institute’s mission to enhance marine and coastal wildlife research and conservation across Kenya’s coastline. The new facility aims to:

• Establish a regional Marine and Coastal database integrated with the National WRTI portal;
• Enhance research capacity on genomics through a state-of-the-art laboratory;
• Promote research and conservation of key marine and coastal species and their habitats; and
• Serve as a regional training and capacity-building hub for local communities and practitioners on sustainable conservation practices and management of natural resopurces.

Speaking during the handover, the Chair of the Wildlife Research & Training Institute Dr David Nkedianye, Chair of the Board, WRTI expressed gratitude for the contribution, stating:

“Kenya is a country where biodiversity thrives. The launch of this centre kickstarts a process of coordinated wildlife research within the coastal and marine space and establishing a data hub that will aid scientifically-driven biodiversity management, protection and planning. We are a TVET accredited institution and encourage the youth, women and wider society to enrol for short courses here for informed biodiversity conservation.”

The ReSea Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims to strengthen area-based management, Nature-based Solutions and regenerative blue economy practices by advancing marine research, promoting gender equality, and supporting community-driven conservation initiatives along Kenya’s coast.

“Equipment received today from IUCN through the ReSea project will help in research and monitoring on marine and terrestrial species and broadly on capacity building. We have a Framework of Collaboration with the IUCN and have jointly developed a curriculum targeting local communities to help address biodiversity conservation challenges being faced in this space”-Dr. Patrick Omondi, CEO WTRI

“We are elated through the ReSea project to contribute to the vision of the Wildlife Research & Training Institute,” said Francis Okalo, Programme Manager, Coastal  and Ocean Resilience, IUCN-Kenya Country Office “Through this partnership, we are advancing the implementation of WRTI-IUCN Framework of Collaboration and hope to empower partners and local communities with the tools and data needed to safeguard marine ecosystems for generations to come. We are finalizing the first Community Conservation Leadership program, a tailored curriculum for local conservation and blue entrepreneurs, and hope to have the first cohort trained here in January 2026.”

This partnership cements Kenya’s growing commitment to harnessing science and innovation for the protection and sustainable management of its marine and coastal biodiversity.