The government is stepping up plans to establish a Sh500 billion nuclear power plant in Siaya County, with the government targeting a groundbreaking ceremony in March 2027, officials have said.
The Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) says it is working with Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), universities and other government institutions to advance the project, which is expected to strengthen the country’s electricity supply and support growing energy demand.
Speaking during a workshop bringing together academics and professionals from across the Lake Region in Kisumu, NuPEA chairman Prof Lawrence Gumbe said preparations were under way to make the proposed project a reality.
He said President William Ruto was keen to have construction begin in March next year, adding that the agency was working to meet the target. “We are working hard to make this possible,” he said.
The workshop attracted more than 100 participants from 15 institutions, including 11 universities, to discuss the country’s nuclear energy programme, address public concerns and explore the role of academic institutions in its implementation.
KenGen acting chief executive Beatrice Kandie said the company was ready to take up its role as the owner and operator of the proposed nuclear power plant.
She said the company, which generates electricity from hydro, geothermal, wind and thermal sources, welcomed the partnership with NuPEA and other government agencies.
Kandie said nuclear energy would provide reliable baseload electricity, helping to stabilise the national grid as demand increases.
“KenGen is 92 per cent green, and we are excited because nuclear power is firm power. It is baseload power, and it is going to enable the stability of our grid,” she said.
She added that the project would create employment opportunities for engineers, technicians, craftsmen and other professionals, making universities and technical training institutions important partners.
Kandie said collaboration with academic institutions would also support research, skills development and public education on nuclear energy.
She assured communities that nuclear power was safe and said the project would include community engagement and corporate social responsibility programmes.
Maseno University Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Development, Prof David Ongarora, said the institution was committed to supporting the nuclear energy programme through research and training.
He said universities had an important role in preparing the skilled workforce required to operate the proposed plant.
Prof Gumbe said discussions were under way with universities to introduce a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering and postgraduate diploma programmes.
The agency is also engaging Kisumu National Polytechnic to help train technicians and technologists who could work in the nuclear energy sector.
He said universities would also contribute to research in engineering, natural sciences and social sciences to generate knowledge relevant to the project.
The discussions also covered plans for nuclear research reactors, with the first expected to be established at Konza Technopolis. Other locations could be considered for additional facilities.
Public concerns
The officials also sought to address concerns and misinformation surrounding the proposed nuclear plant, particularly among communities in the project area in Siaya.
Prof Gumbe said public participation activities in Bondo began on June 26, last year at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga attending as guest of honour.
He said the agency subsequently held more than 10 engagement sessions in the project area in September before resuming consultations this year.
According to the chairman, further meetings were held with beach management units, faith-based groups, landowners and other community representatives.
He acknowledged an incident in which a meeting with landowners at Lenya was disrupted by a group of people, saying some participants were assaulted.
The chairman said those opposed to the project had been invited to express their concerns through discussions or written petitions.
He added that more than 10 peaceful public engagement meetings had been held since the incident, with local leaders participating.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, he said, had also supported the process and was in South Korea alongside NuPEA and KenGen officials to engage in discussions on nuclear technology for the proposed project.
The chairman said continued engagement with communities was essential to ensuring that the nuclear energy programme was understood and that concerns were addressed.
Kenya’s proposed nuclear power programme is part of wider efforts to expand electricity generation capacity and diversify the country’s energy sources.
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