Siaya Governor James Orengo has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the construction of Kenya’s first nuclear power plant in the county, describing it as a transformative project that will anchor the nation’s future industrialisation.
Speaking when he welcomed a delegation from the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), led by CEO Justus Wabuyabo and board chairman Lawrence Gumbe, and senior officials, the governor said Siaya is ready to host the project, which is valued at more than Sh500 billion.
“We are committed to making this project a success. The county government will provide office space for NuPEA in the shortest time possible,” Orengo said.
He further invited NuPEA to participate in the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference set for October 14–17 this year, noting that nuclear energy must now be embraced if Kenya is to leap into a new era of growth.
Orengo said countries such as South Africa, Ghana and Egypt are already pursuing nuclear projects.
“No serious industrial or transformative economy exists in the world without nuclear power,” he said, dismissing misinformation around the technology.
According to him, nuclear power goes beyond electricity, extending into technology, science and nuclear medicine.
He assured Siaya residents that those affected by the project will be fairly compensated in line with the Kenyan law and international resettlement frameworks.
On the question of safety, Orengo described nuclear energy as a “calculated risk worth taking,” citing France where 70 per cent of electricity comes from nuclear plants, as well as Soviet-era and Hungarian reactors that have operated safely for decades.
“I have no fears at all. Nuclear energy is safe and will transform Siaya and Kenya,” he said.
Gumbe said the meeting build on the recently launched stakeholders meeting in the county on June 30, at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), which was attended by ODM leader Raila Odinga, Siaya senator Oburu Oginga, MPs and MCAs.
He said the current visit marked the official start of activities in Siaya, with plans to deploy a dedicated officer in the county to coordinate operations.
“Nuclear power is a stable and affordable source of electricity. Industrialisation is impossible without adequate energy supply. China’s rapid growth has been powered by massive electricity consumption. Kenya must increase its usage at least 20 times to meet Vision 2030 targets,” Gumbe said.
He said nuclear energy remains the safest globally, with very few accidents recorded in over 70 years of use.
Gumbe said NuPEA will partner with JOOUST to introduce education and research programmes in nuclear engineering, building the human capital needed for Kenya’s nuclear future.
He said construction of the nuclear plant will employ about 10,000 people, many of them from Siaya, while stimulating economic growth, locally and nationally.
Kenya is also building a nuclear research reactor at the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Konza, he disclosed, expressing optimism that Siaya’s collaboration with NuPEA will span the next century.
“We are looking at a 100-year partnership that will power Kenya’s future,” he said.
Stakeholders expressed confidence that Siaya is on track to become the hub of nuclear energy in the region.
