The Kisii Research Centre (KRC) was initially established at Sotik as an experimental station to conduct research on aspects of animal and crop husbandry. In 1963, the station was moved from Sotik to its present location to conduct general field investigation in South Nyanza and Kisii Districts. The station was allocated land under the Veterinary Department when the former Livestock Improvement Centre was handed over to the Department of Agriculture. This land under the Department of Agriculture was divided into two parts, one occupied by the Scientific Research Division (RRC-Kisii) and the other by Farmers Training Centre (FTC).  Originally land allocated was inadequate.  After negotiations, the Centre was eventually allocated over 93 ha. By 1968, the name changed to Nyanza Agricultural Research Station, Kisii. The mandate area also expanded to include Central Nyanza District. In 1977, Kilgoris / Ang'ata Baragoi, areas formerly of Narok District were added to the area and the scope of work expanded to include;
1) Introduction, selection and evaluation of food, horticultural and oil crops.
2) Crops agronomy
3) Diseases and pest control
4) Bulking of planting materials for distribution to farmers
5) Introduction and selection of new grass and fodder species.
6) Improvement of natural pastures through fertilizer application and oversowing with   legumes
7)  Development of mixed farming systems suitable for different areas
8)  Nutrition and management of livestock
9)  Advisory and extension services to farmers.
From 1982, the research activities were re-organized into several sections: maize, dry beans, sorghum and millets, root crops, horticultural crops, oil seed crops, pasture and animal production, plant pathology, entomology, farm systems economics, and farm-dairy sections. In 1983, Kisumu and Kericho Districts were added to the mandate area.