The government has announced plans to set up its first nuclear power plant in Siaya County by 2030 to bolster energy production, up to 60,000 megawatts, once operational.
Siaya, which is in the Lake Victoria region, has been identified for the project because of its proximity to the Lake.
According to the Nuclear Power and Energy Programme (NuPEA), Kenya needs to bolster its current energy production of 3400 megawatts to 60,000 megawatts annually in order to be ready for industrialisation.
Currently, Kenya relies on hydro, wind power, solar and geothermal for power production, which cannot meet the sustainable energy demands of the country.
Speaking during the Nuclear Energy stakeholder engagement at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said nuclear energy has been identified as an essential power source that will not only drive the country’s industrialisation agenda but also deliver vision 2030.
He said the government under the leadership of President Dr. William Ruto was fully committed to the realisation of robust, sustainable energy.
“Kenya remains committed to implementing the nuclear power programme, while adhering to the highest possible international standards,” Wandayi remarked.
The CS revealed that through the guidance of the International Atomic Agency (IAA), Kenya has made significant steps towards the safe, secure and sustainable implementation of its first Nuclear Power plant project.
“Today Kenya is actually progressing through phase 2 of implementation based on the IAA milestone approach,” he further disclosed.
Wandayi said that the setting up of a Nuclear power plant is a shared national endeavour, which demands foresight, collaboration and collective commitment.
He urged the public to embrace the opportunity to build a resilient energy secure and prosperous Kenya.
The nuclear energy stakeholder engagement was also attended by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was at the forefront of pushing for the country to adopt nuclear energy to address sustainable energy needs during his days as the country’s Minister for Energy.
Raila urged the government of Kenya to partner with other advanced nuclear countries for safety, capacity building, global expertise and oversight in the implementation of nuclear energy programmes in the country.
He said the Lake Victoria region has been picked due to its competitive advantage for the location of a nuclear plant and assured the public that nuclear power is not only safe and sustainable but also the answer to Kenya’s energy needs required for industrialisation.
Raila said nuclear power will be a complementary source of energy that will help the country actualise it’s development agenda.
Local leaders led by Bondo MP Dr. Gedion Ochanda welcome the move by the government to establish a nuclear power plant in the region, with calls for continued community sensitisation on nuclear energy.
Both Ochanda and Ugenya MP David Ochieng observed that negative perceptions about nuclear energy could only be addressed by proper sensitisation of the community about its safety and assurance of adherence to international safety standards for smooth implementation.
Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga, who is also the chair of the Senate committee on Energy, said the implementation of nuclear energy is a result of vigorous research and assured the public that the power source is safe, efficient and environmentally responsible.
NuPEA Chairman Prof. Larry Gumbe said they intend to sign an MoU with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga university of Science and Technology to train technical people on nuclear energy and also for research purposes.
By Brian Ondeng’
