Experts from academia and the energy sector have sought to reassure residents of Lenya and Liunda in Bondo Sub-County that the proposed nuclear power plant is safe, dismissing concerns that the project could expose communities to health risks.
The experts, who spoke during a workshop in Kisumu bringing together more than 100 participants from 15 institutions, including 11 universities, said nuclear power plants are among the most secure and tightly regulated energy facilities in the world.
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) chairman Prof. Eng. Lawrence Gumbe said public participation exercises conducted in Siaya County had attracted significant support from residents, local leaders and community groups in the proposed project area.
Gumbe said the agency began engaging stakeholders in June last year at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, where the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga attended as the chief guest alongside MPs, the senator and other regional leaders.
He said the agency subsequently conducted more than 10 public participation meetings in September last year before returning to the project area this year for another round of engagements.
“We have conducted more than 11 successful engagements with Beach Management Units (BMUs), faith-based organisations and landowners. The response has been encouraging, and leaders from the region have also supported the initiative,” said Gumbe.
He, however, acknowledged an isolated incident at Kajohn, where a group disrupted a public participation meeting, describing it as an exception to the generally positive reception the project had received.
Gumbe disclosed that preparations for the construction of the nuclear power plant were progressing, with President William Ruto expected to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony in March next year.
He said Kenya needed to significantly expand its electricity generation capacity to meet growing demand and achieve its development ambitions, including the country’s aspiration to attain Singapore-level economic status.
“Kenya currently produces only about five per cent of the electricity required to achieve the Singapore dream. It is therefore urgent that we expand our energy generation capacity, including through nuclear power,” he said.
He added that the country’s nuclear energy programme was being implemented through collaboration between NuPEA, KenGen, the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Meanwhile, KenGen Acting Chief Executive Officer Beatrice Kandie said the company was ready to partner with NuPEA and other stakeholders in developing the proposed facility.
Kandie said KenGen, which has more than 70 years of experience in electricity generation, would support the initiative by drawing on its expertise in hydro, geothermal, wind and thermal power generation.
She noted that Kenya’s electricity generation mix was already predominantly green, with approximately 92 per cent coming from clean energy sources.
Kandie further assured residents that professionals who would operate the proposed nuclear facility would undergo specialised training, with universities expected to play a key role in developing the required technical expertise.
“KenGen has been generating electricity for more than 70 years, and we are ready to partner with NuPEA and other stakeholders to establish this facility. We will also train the people who will work at the plant, working closely with universities,” she said.
“We want the message to reach communities that nuclear energy is safe and provides reliable, firm power. It will strengthen the national electricity grid and bring benefits to surrounding communities.”
Professor David Ogoti Ongarora, Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Administration, Finance and Development (AFD) also reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s nuclear energy programme through research, training and collaboration with KenGen, NuPEA and other stakeholders.
Ongarora said universities had an important role in equipping the country with the expertise required to support the development and operation of nuclear energy infrastructure.
“As Maseno University, we are committed to supporting this programme and working closely with KenGen, NuPEA and other stakeholders. The message to the public is that this is a project expected to take off soon,” said Ongarora.
The workshop brought together more than 100 participants representing 15 institutions, 11 of them universities, to address public concerns, counter misinformation and promote a better understanding of Kenya’s proposed first nuclear power plant in Siaya County.
The experts said there was a need for sustained public education and stakeholder engagement to ensure residents receive accurate information about nuclear energy, its safety standards, environmental safeguards and potential economic benefits.
