NuPEA: No nuclear project without community consent

Residents of Sakwa in Bondo gather during a protest against the proposed nuclear power plant 

The Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) has responded to protests by residents of Siaya County, assuring the public that no nuclear power infrastructure will be constructed without the informed consent of local communities.

The statement, issued on Saturday, follows demonstrations in Sakwa, Bondo Subcounty, where residents took to the streets on Thursday to oppose the proposed nuclear power plant near the shores of Lake Victoria.

The protests came amid NuPEA's intensified plan to establish the country’s first nuclear power station in the county.

In a statement, NuPEA emphasised that public participation is both a constitutional right and a critical technical requirement for a successful national nuclear program.

“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 program,” the agency said.

The agency further stated that the stakeholder engagement process is ongoing, moving from high-level institutional planning into detailed, village-level outreach.

NuPEA reaffirmed its commitment to a “robust, transparent, and multi-layered educational campaign” designed to address public concerns, including safety protocols, environmental impacts, and effects on livelihoods and land ownership.

According to NuPEA CEO Justus Wabuyabo, the agency aims to ensure that every phase of the project is guided by the informed consent of the communities directly affected.

“No infrastructure will be built without the broad, informed consent of the community,” he affirmed in the statement.

The proposed nuclear power plant, planned for construction in 2027 with a commissioning target of 2034, is part of Kenya’s long-term strategy to diversify its energy mix and expand access to reliable electricity.

Residents of Sakwa expressed fears regarding potential radiation risks, displacement, and the long-term environmental impact on Lake Victoria, which supports fishing and agriculture vital to local livelihoods. Carrying placards and chanting anti-nuclear slogans, they said the project could threaten livelihoods dependent on fishing and small-scale farming.

Community members also raised concerns about possible radiation exposure, contamination of water sources, and the handling of radioactive waste if the project proceeds. 

NuPEA has since pledged to address these concerns through consultations, public forums, and information campaigns, ensuring that technical explanations and safety measures are accessible to the public.

The proposed nuclear project has remained controversial since the government first considered Kilifi County as a possible host region.