Kenya Sets March 2027 Groundbreaking Target for Siaya Nuclear Power Plant
The Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority and other relevant institutions will oversee regulatory and environmental compliance.
KENGEN Ag.CEO Beatrice Kandie adressing press i. Kisumu he is flanked by NUPEA chairman Eng.Prof Lawrence Gumbe.
By James Gitaka
Kenya is targeting March 2027 to break ground for its proposed nuclear power plant in Siaya County, as the government steps up preparations to introduce nuclear energy into the country’s electricity generation mix.
The ambitious project is expected to strengthen Kenya’s electricity supply, support growing energy demand and create new economic opportunities for communities in the Lake Region.
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NUPEA) Chairman Prof. Eng. Lawrence Gumbe said President William Ruto was keen to see construction preparations commence in March next year, with the agency working to meet the proposed timeline.
“His Excellency the President is anxious to break ground in March next year. So we are working hard to make this possible,” Gumbe said.
He spoke during a nuclear energy workshop in Kisumu attended by more than 100 participants, including representatives from 11 universities in the Lake Region.
Gumbe said expanding electricity generation capacity was critical to supporting Kenya’s long-term development ambitions, adding that the nuclear programme was being implemented through collaboration between NUPEA, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and other government institutions.
NUPEA is coordinating the programme, while KenGen has been appointed as the owner-operator of the proposed nuclear power plant. The Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority and other relevant institutions will oversee regulatory and environmental compliance.
KenGen prepares to operate nuclear facility
KenGen Acting Chief Executive Officer Beatrice Kandie said the electricity generating company was ready to work with NUPEA and other government agencies to actualise the project.
She described the appointment of KenGen as the owner-operator as an important milestone, noting that the company was prepared to expand its electricity generation portfolio through nuclear technology.
“Being appointed as an owner-operator for this nuclear is welcome news for us. We are very excited and ready to continue to partner with NUPEA in this journey and all the relevant government agencies,” Kandie said.
She explained that nuclear energy would complement KenGen’s existing sources of electricity, which include hydro, geothermal, wind and thermal power.
According to Kandie, nuclear power would provide reliable baseload electricity, helping stabilise the national grid while meeting the country’s increasing energy requirements.
She noted that KenGen currently generates approximately 92 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources.
Beyond electricity generation, Kandie said the project would create employment opportunities for residents of Siaya through engineering jobs, technical training, skills development and corporate social responsibility programmes.
“We know that the people of Siaya will benefit. We require a lot of capacity for engineers, craftsmen and all other skills to be able to work in these power plants,” she said.
Universities to train nuclear energy specialists
As preparations gather momentum, universities are expected to play a critical role in developing the specialised workforce required to support Kenya’s nuclear energy programme.
Kandie said KenGen was engaging institutions of higher learning to establish postgraduate training programmes in nuclear engineering, including master’s degrees and postgraduate diplomas.
Gumbe confirmed that NUPEA was already holding discussions with several universities to introduce specialised academic programmes.
“We are already in discussions with a number of them in terms of a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering and a postgraduate diploma in Nuclear Engineering,” he said.
The agency is also exploring the establishment of nuclear research reactors, with the first proposed for Konza Technopolis.
Gumbe said universities would contribute to research and knowledge development across engineering, natural sciences and social sciences.
The agency is also engaging Kisumu National Polytechnic to help train technicians and technologists who will be required in the nuclear energy industry.
Maseno University pledges support
Maseno University has pledged to support Kenya’s nuclear energy ambitions through research, academic partnerships and professional training.
The university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration, Finance and Development, Prof. David Ongarora, said the institution was committed to working with KenGen and NUPEA to advance the programme.
Speaking during the workshop hosted at the university’s Kisumu Hotel, Ongarora said institutions of higher learning had an important role in preparing the region for the proposed investment.
“As Maseno University, we are committed to supporting this programme. We have what it takes, and we are working very closely with KenGen and the Nuclear Power Agency,” he said.
He expressed confidence that preparations were progressing towards implementation and urged the public to appreciate the potential significance of the project.
Bondo residents raise concerns over project
Despite the anticipated economic and energy benefits, the proposed nuclear power plant has faced resistance from some residents in Bondo, with concerns raised about its potential impact on surrounding communities.
However, Gumbe maintained that NUPEA had undertaken extensive public participation exercises in the project area since June last year.
He said the first engagement took place on June 26 at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, where the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga attended as the chief guest.
According to Gumbe, the agency subsequently conducted more than 10 engagement sessions in September before returning to the area this year for further consultations with different community groups.
He acknowledged that one meeting involving landowners at Kajon was disrupted by a group of people but insisted that the agency remained open to hearing concerns through dialogue and written submissions.
Gumbe also cited the involvement of Siaya Governor James Orengo, local MP Gideon Ochanda and the area MCA in subsequent engagements.
He disclosed that Governor Orengo was in South Korea alongside a delegation from NUPEA and KenGen to discuss technology for the proposed facility.
Kandie said community engagement remained a priority, adding that the two institutions were working to provide residents with information about nuclear energy and address concerns surrounding the project.
“We want that message to go into the community that nuclear is safe power, it is firm power, it is going to help our grid and it is going to provide opportunities for the communities,” she said.
Major milestone in Kenya’s energy plans
The proposed nuclear power plant represents a significant step in Kenya’s long-term energy diversification strategy, with stakeholders focusing on technical preparations, research, workforce development and public awareness.
For Siaya County and the wider Lake Region, the investment could open up opportunities in employment, infrastructure development, technology transfer and specialised training.
However, meeting the March 2027 groundbreaking target will require continued coordination among government agencies, universities, technical partners and local communities.
Sustained public participation, transparent communication and confidence in environmental and nuclear safety safeguards will also be essential as Kenya moves towards implementing its nuclear energy ambitions.
About Author
