Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is an important indigenous multi-purpose tree of semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa. Leaves and fruit pulp are highly nutritious and are used for home consumption and sale at domestic and – for fruit pulp – export markets. In Kenya, however, baobab can be regarded as underutilised and little is known regarding its characterisation, population structure and use levels. The high potential of baobab products to contribute to improved nutrition and livelihoods of rural communities in Kenya together with claims of decreasing abundance of baobab trees call for increased efforts in its domestication and cultivation. This presentation aims at summarizing results of past studies on morphological and genetic diversity of Kenyan baobabs, the nutritional value of fruit pulp, the species’ population structure and first successes in its vegetative propagation. In addition, planned activities towards characterisation and domestication of baobab in Kenya in the frame of the new ‘BAOFOOD’ project will be presented. For the performed scoping studies, the status of baobab populations was evaluated along the road from Voi to Taveta and fruits of 64 baobab trees from a transect from Kibwezi to the coast were characterised regarding morphology (using a newly developed descriptor list for baobab) and nutrient contents (using standard AOAC methods). Genetic diversity was determined by using microsatellite markers. Two selected mother trees were used as scion materials for grafting experiments at ICRAF’s nursery in Nairobi. The surveyed baobab populations were very patchy with high tree densities or young baobabs only documented in some areas. The morphological study revealed a high diversity of traits, including fruit weight (range 62-627 g, mean 172). Also pulp nutrient contents varied largely, e.g., for vitamin C (range 63-311 mg per 100 g edible portion, mean 175). Molecular marker analysis revealed high genetic diversity reflecting the high morphological diversity. The grafting trial resulted in a mean survival rate of 63%. Planned research activities will extend studies on morphological diversity and population structure of baobab in Kenya and repeat grafting experiment to increase survival rates. Superior mother trees will be identified and manuals for sustainable use and propagation of baobabs developed.