Kenya To Commence Construction Of Its First 2,000 MW Nuclear Power Plant In 2027

Kenya has announced plans to commence construction of its first nuclear power plant in 2027, with an initial capacity of 2,000 MW, expected to be operational by 2034.

President William Samoei Ruto made the announcement last Wednesday during the 2026 International Conference on Nuclear Energy, stating that the plant will be sited in Siaya County.

Nearly 90% of Kenya’s electricity is generated from renewable sources, making it a green energy leader in Africa. Geothermal accounts for approximately 40–46%, while hydropower contributes about 20–24%.

Ruto said Kenya has taken a strategic decision to significantly expand the country’s generation capacity, stating that, “From our current installed capacity of 3,300 megawatts, we are committed to scaling up to at least 10,000 MW in the next five to seven years, 3,000 MW of which will be generated from nuclear energy.”

William Ruto dismissed the perception that nuclear energy poses a significant danger to human well-being, stating that “this perception, while understandable, is not supported by evidence.”

He mounted a strong defense of nuclear energy as one of the safest and most reliable sources of power, used for decades by the world’s most advanced economies to drive their development.

He noted that France, for example, has relied on nuclear energy since the 1970s, generating up to 70% of its electricity from this source.

Similarly, the United States has operated nuclear power plants for over 60 years, with nuclear energy contributing approximately 18–20% of its electricity mix.

In South Africa, the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station has been in operation since the 1980s, with an installed capacity of about 1,860 MW.

“No country has ever achieved its development ambitions without adequate and reliable energy,” Ruto said.

He further highlighted that, during the peak construction phase, the nuclear project will generate between 5,000 and 12,000 jobs, ranging from manual labor to highly specialized engineering roles. Once operational, it will provide hundreds of permanent, well-paying technical positions.

Ruto urged the World Bank and other multilateral development banks to re-examine the financing architecture for nuclear power projects.

He added that Kenya will enact comprehensive legislation and adhere to the highest global standards of nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, while building a regulatory framework that inspires both domestic confidence and international partnership.