287 Kilifi Self-Help Groups Receive Nearly Sh1 Billion in KEMFSED Grants
The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) Project has channelled Sh983.7 million to 287 self-help groups in Kilifi County, marking one of the largest community investment initiatives in the coastal region. Governor Gideon Mung’aro said the funding—distributed across three phases since 2020—has supported dozens of income-generating ventures in fisheries, agriculture, livestock production, environmental conservation and community development. The latest allocation includes Sh590 million released this week for 152 new sub-projects under phase three.
Speaking during the signing of agreements between the county’s Fisheries and Blue Economy Department and KEMFSED Project Coordinator Lucy Kapombe, Mung’aro noted that an additional Sh380 million had been disbursed in the first two phases to 137 groups. The World Bank-funded programme has also provided bursaries worth Sh15.2 million to students in various educational institutions. In total, the initiative now supports 287 sub-projects expected to directly benefit more than 15,000 Kilifi residents. The ventures range from 149 fisheries-related projects to 56 in livestock, 51 in agriculture, 18 in social welfare, eight in environmental conservation and five in small and medium enterprise development.
Governor Mung’aro urged transparency and accountability from beneficiary groups, noting that successful implementation of the projects would have a lasting economic impact on households that rely on small-scale fishing, farming and local trade. He added that the World Bank had approved an additional Sh470 million for the construction of a fisheries development centre in Kilifi town. The funds will also support the purchase of modern fishing equipment, the building of county fisheries headquarters and the renovation of existing fisheries offices to boost service delivery.
Local leaders, including Members of Parliament Kenneth Kazungu Tungule (Ganze), Paul Katana (Kaloleni) and Amina Mnyazi (Malindi), praised the initiative, saying the grants had significantly improved livelihoods across Kilifi. Beneficiaries from various community groups said the support had enabled them to start viable ventures and provide for their families, while students supported under the scholarship component shared testimonies of improved access to education. County officials say the momentum created by KEMFSED is expected to accelerate local economic growth and strengthen resilience among coastal communities in the years ahead.