Kenya announced plans to build its first nuclear power plant in Siaya County after abandoning the original coastal location due to fierce local opposition, officials said Monday.
The 1,000-megawatt facility will be constructed in Luanda Kotieno, Bondo area, at an estimated cost of 500 billion Kenyan shillings ($3.8 billion). Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with commissioning expected between 2032 to 2034.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi made the announcement during a stakeholder forum at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on June 27, saying nuclear energy is essential for Kenya’s industrialization goals.
“Kenya remains committed to implementing the nuclear power programme, while adhering to the highest possible international standards,” Wandayi said.
The decision represents a major shift from the originally planned site in Kilifi County, where residents and environmentalists staged protests over concerns about tourism and environmental impacts. Demonstrators carried banners reading “Sitaki nuclear” — Swahili for “I don’t want nuclear.”
The Lake Victoria region was selected due to its water resources needed for reactor cooling. According to the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, Kenya needs to increase energy production from 3,400 megawatts to 60,000 megawatts annually to support industrialization.
Veteran politician Raila Odinga endorsed the project as “a massive game-changer” for economic development. Local leaders have welcomed the proposal while emphasizing the need for transparency and community consultation.
The project has drawn criticism from some residents who argue the county’s agricultural infrastructure and fishing industry should receive priority investment over the high-tech facility.
Kenya is progressing through the International Atomic Energy Agency’s milestone approach for nuclear development, with cooperation agreements signed with the United States, China, and South Korea for knowledge transfer and capacity building.
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