Residents of Uyombo village in Kilifi County have expressed relief after the government said it would relocate the construction of a nuclear power plant from their area to Siaya County.
The residents said they had no regrets about rejecting Kenya’s ambitious plan to establish its first Sh500 billion nuclear power plant in their vicinity.
“We received the news by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi about relocating the project to the proposed new site in Lwanda Kotieno, Rarieda Constituency, with great relief. Now we can continue with our daily activities without interference,” said Mr Sammy Ndurya, a resident of Uyombo village.
“We are happy that experts came and informed us about the pros and cons, where the negative effects outweighed the benefits. That is why we rejected the project.”
Locals objected plans to set up the project in Uyombo, citing the government’s ability to manage the risks associated with a nuclear power plant. Legislators blamed the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (Nupea) for failing to conduct adequate public sensitisation.
“We are now free to continue with our farming. But those where the project is being taken should know that humans have no spare parts. Once the environment is degraded, it will never be productive,” said resident Jane Boke.
CS Wandayi recently led a public forum attended by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo to prepare the ground for the project, which aims to generate 1,000 megawatts of power by 2034.
Unlike in Kilifi, local leaders in Siaya have embraced the project.
In the initial plans, the government had identified potential sites for the plant in Siaya and Kwale counties in addition to Kilifi.
In Uyombo, residents opposed the project and filed a lawsuit challenging its legality. They accused Nupea of failing to disclose technical and environmental assessments, and of rushing the public participation process.
The locals argued that the project would negatively impact their livelihoods as they depend on tourism and fishing—both of which they claimed would suffer from pollution caused by nuclear radiation.
While supporting the project, Mr Odinga said that it must adhere to international safety and security standards throughout its lifecycle.
The government maintains that the plant, scheduled for development in 2027 and commissioning by 2034, will be a national milestone in achieving energy independence, provided it can win and retain public trust.
