Uyombo shopping centre in Matsangoni, Kilifi County. The area has been earmarked as a potential site for a nuclear power plant, an idea opposed by residents.
The Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) has dampened Kenya’s quest for a nuclear power programme over safety and environmental concerns, noting that the country does not meet the standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the programme.
The NCEA’s position, which it noted is “for good practice in environmental assessment”, is contained in a draft report of the Environment Committee of the National Assembly that is considering the government’s intention for a nuclear programme in Uyombo, Kilifi County.
NCEA's conclusion that Kenya's nuclear power programme does not meet the standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has seen the committee members draw mixed signals on whether the country should go on with the project or abandon it.
The MPs opposed to the programme cite the lack of regulatory safeguards, even as it emerged that works on the multibillion-shilling project has already started.
The NCEA advisory report highlighted several critical gaps and weaknesses. The draft report captures the NCEA position.
Fishermen return home after an expedition at the Uyombo Beach Management Unit in Matsangoni, Kilifi County. The area has been identified as a potential site for a nuclear power plant, an idea vehemently opposed by local residents
NCEA was tasked by the National Environment Authority with reviewing the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (Sesa) for Kenya’s nuclear power programme.
Specifically, NCEA was required to evaluate whether the Sesa met international standards and whether it could effectively guide decision-making “in a transparent and inclusive way.”
The gaps and weaknesses in Sesa, according to NCEA, suggest that “Kenya’s nuclear power programme is not yet ready to address the significant challenges and risks it presents.”
“The lack of thorough analysis, inadequate stakeholder engagement and incomplete planning for environmental and social impacts make it difficult to support the project at this stage. Given the unresolved issues, it may be prudent to reconsider or delay the programme until all those concerns are fully addressed,” NCEA concludes.
Kilifi County Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu and Mohamed Tubi (Isiolo South) are among the committee members who opposed the country’s quest for a nuclear programme, citing the lack of preparedness.
"The people of Uyombo don't want the plant since there was no public participation, as residents objected to everything to do with the project.
Uyombo Beach Management Unit in Matsangoni, Kilifi County. The area has been identified as a potential site for a nuclear power plant
The whole population rejected it, but it can be taken to other parts of the country," said Ms Mbeyu. She noted that the position by NCEA is about the “Uyombo residents and not about global interests or what others are doing.”
Mr Tubi noted that the cost-benefit analysis of the project was not done, and looking at recommendations, the community is not for this thing as it is not good for the country at the moment.”
“Let us give a candid opinion. Let's not just be a conveyor belt. This is a matter of life and death, and we can't just accept it like that,” said Mr Tubi, adding, “I find this thing hazardous and unacceptable because Kenya is not yet ready for it.”
Nuclear energy generation all over the world is a sensitive matter among the superpowers and major power countries, if the August 6th and 9th, 1945, bombings in Japan’s Nagasaki and Hiroshima during World War II are anything to go by.
In South Africa, the Twin Towers are the only nuclear-generating facility on the continent. The secrecy about the control of nuclear power is such that in the United States of America (USA), it’s only the president who has access, just like in Russia.
However, MPs in support of the project- Titus Lotee (Kacheliba), Joseph Emathe (Turkana Central), Charles Kamuren (Baringo South) and Joseph Wainaina (Nominated) noted that the country stands to benefit from it.
"I don't want us to lose this project. We have developed countries in the world having nuclear plants, therefore I plead that we do not allow Kenya to lose this project,” said Mr Lotee, a position that was supported by Mr Emathe.
"If there was no public participation, the community has a right to have the information. Let the government do this. Ours is just implementation, we are in government, and if the government finds the project good, let us support it," said Mr Emathe.
This, even as Mr Kamuren noted that the country requires more time.
“We can't table this report as it is. Let's incorporate reports from other sectors,” said Mr Kamuren.
dmwere@ke.nationmedia.com
