By Caroline Katana
Seaweed farming is rapidly gaining momentum in Kwale County, positioning itself as a critical source of income for coastal communities while drawing growing attention from researchers, government agencies, and development partners.
During a stakeholders’ forum convened by Kilimo Trust in Diani, experts highlighted both the progress made and the challenges that must be addressed to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Fisheries stakeholders meeting organised by Kilimo Trust at Pride Inn, Diani
Dr. Elisha Mrabu Jenoh, a researcher at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), said seaweed farming has evolved significantly from a small pilot initiative into a countywide economic activity.
“Seaweed farming has made remarkable progress. We started with just two villages after conducting research, then expanded to Mkwiro and Kibuyuni. Today, it has spread across Kwale County, with more than 20 groups involved, and has even reached Lamu County,” said Dr. Jenoh.
As a marine research institution, KMFRI has been instrumental in introducing and supporting the crop in Kwale.
According to Dr. Jenoh, the sector is not only economically viable but also socially transformative.
“Seaweed farming creates employment opportunities, especially for women, youth, and even the elderly. We are encouraging young people to engage across the value chain—whether in value addition, marketing, or producing products such as bathing soap,” he explained.
Current estimates indicate that between 300 and 400 farmers are engaged in seaweed farming in Kwale, with numbers steadily rising as more communities adopt the practice.
Researcher at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Dr. Elisha Mrabu Jenoh
Debate Over Classification and Policy
Under Kenya’s fisheries laws, seaweed is classified as a fish—a categorization that Dr. Jenoh says carries both benefits and implications.
“When seaweed is classified as a fish, it falls under fisheries systems, including Beach Management Units, which help in governance. However, if it were categorized as a plant, other institutions would need to come in. Any shift must be carefully examined to ensure farmers are not disadvantaged,” he noted.
Climate Change Threatens Production
Despite its growth, the sector faces serious threats from climate change, particularly rising sea temperatures in shallow waters.
“Increased temperatures are causing diseases such as ‘ice-ice,’ which weakens the seaweed and makes it unsuitable for sale. Excessive rainfall also leads to sedimentation, which blocks sunlight needed for photosynthesis,” noted Dr. Jenoh.
To counter these effects, KMFRI and its partners are exploring alternative farming methods, including moving cultivation to deeper waters, where temperature fluctuations are less severe.
Patrice Jilani, Assistant Director at the Kenya Fisheries Service, emphasized that while demand exists, production and pricing remain challenges.
“Seaweed production is still low, yet there is a strong export market. Prices range between KSh 50 and KSh 70 per kilogram, depending on global trends,” he said.
To improve returns, farmers have formed cooperatives, such as those in Kibuyuni and Bati, enabling them to negotiate better prices collectively.
Jilani also underscored the environmental importance of seaweed farming.
“Seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide and supports marine ecosystems by providing food and habitat for fish. It plays a key role in restoring ocean health,” he added.
Assistant Director at the Kenya Fisheries Service, Patrice Jilani
Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Roman Shera, acknowledged that although the county leads in seaweed farming nationally, output remains below potential.
“We currently produce about 146 metric tonnes annually, compared to nearly 17,000 metric tonnes in neighbouring countries. This shows we still have significant room for growth,” said Shera.
To address this gap, the county government is introducing higher-value seaweed varieties.
“The dominant variety in Kwale, spinosum, has lower market value. We are now introducing cottonii, which offers better returns to farmers,” he explained.
Shera added that the county is investing in farmer training, inputs, and equipment, while also addressing gaps in value addition and market access.
“We must strengthen processing, value addition, and market linkages to ensure farmers benefit fully from seaweed farming,” he said.
Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Roman Shera
The forum was part of the Youth and Women Economic Empowerment through Inclusive Fisheries Value Chain Programme (YFUMA), implemented by Kilimo Trust.
Racheal Ajambo, Country Team Leader for Kilimo Trust Uganda, said the programme focuses on ensuring equitable participation in the fisheries sector.
“We work with farmers, traders, and distributors across East Africa as one market. Our goal is to ensure that women and youth are not confined to low-income roles but are fully included in the economic benefits of the fisheries value chain,” she said.
The five-year initiative, running from November 2024 to May 2029, is being implemented in Kwale, Kilifi, Kisumu, Turkana, Siaya, and Busia, as well as in Uganda and Tanzania, with plans to expand to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ajambo noted that coordination among stakeholders is critical.
“We have multiple actors working in this space, including The Nature Conservancy, KMFRI, and the Kenya Fisheries Service. This forum helps us align efforts and avoid duplication of resources,” she said.
Country Team Leader for Kilimo Trust, Uganda, Racheal Ajambo
Ajambo highlighted the broader regional context, noting that fisheries remain underutilized despite their economic importance.
“More than 60 percent of East Africa’s population is engaged in agriculture, and over 1.5 million people are directly involved in the fisheries value chain,” she said.
However, Africa continues to rely heavily on fish imports.
“The continent imports over $22 billion worth of fish annually, with East Africa accounting for more than $5 billion. We need to invest in our own production systems,” she emphasized.
Fish consumption also remains low, averaging 1.8 kilograms per capita—far below the 8 to 10 kilograms recommended by the World Health Organization.
“If we do not act, Africa could spend more than $50 billion on fish imports by 2030,” Ajambo warned.
As Kwale strengthens its position as a leader in seaweed farming, stakeholders agree that the sector holds immense promise.
However, scaling up production, addressing climate challenges, improving market systems, and ensuring inclusive participation will be key to transforming seaweed into a sustainable economic pillar for coastal communities.
