Kenya: Siaya Residents Oppose Planned Nuclear Power Plant

Residents of Sakwa in Bondo Sub-county, Kenya, on Thursday took to the streets to demonstrate against the proposed establishment of the country’s first nuclear power plant, which is scheduled for construction in 2027.

Carrying placards and chanting anti-nuclear slogans, the residents raised serious concerns about environmental safety, public health, and what they described as a glaring lack of community consultation.

The protesters displayed banners bearing inscriptions such as “We Reject,” firmly reiterating their opposition to the proposed plant to be built in the area.

Chaos and noise engulfed the area as a moderator attempted to calm the protesters during what appeared to be a public participation forum.

“We have rejected the plan to have a nuclear plant in Siaya. We don’t want it,” one resident was heard saying.

The protests come as the Kenyan government, through the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), intensifies plans to establish the country’s first nuclear power station in the county.

The KSh500 billion project is expected to be funded through a mix of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), combining public resources with private-sector investment to reduce the burden on taxpayers while attracting global expertise.

The nuclear plant is expected to generate between 1,000 and 3,000 megawatts of electricity and strengthen Kenya’s electricity sector, which continues to face growing demand.

The increasing demand for electricity has created the need for stable baseload power, which nuclear energy is expected to provide, complementing existing renewable energy sources that are often affected by weather and climate variability.

In a statement, NuPEA Chief Executive Officer, Justus Wabuyabo, assured residents that the project would not proceed without the broad and informed consent of the local host community.

“We wish to assure the public that the stakeholder engagement process is firmly ongoing. We are moving from high-level institutional planning into deep, village-level grassroots sensitisation,” Wabuyabo stated.

He emphasised that the agency is fully committed to implementing a robust, transparent, and multi-layered educational campaign designed to address concerns regarding local safety, livelihoods, and land ownership.

“As the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, we hear and respect the voices of the residents of Siaya. Public participation is not a mere procedural formality. It is a constitutional right and a technical necessity for a successful national nuclear programme,” the CEO added.

Community members accused authorities of keeping them in the dark, claiming officials had failed to conduct adequate public participation before identifying Sakwa as a potential site for the project.

The project was initially proposed for Kilifi County. However, strong opposition from coastal residents, environmental groups, and local leaders forced the government to shift its focus to Siaya County in western Kenya.