EXPLAINER: Gov’t Announces Fresh Steps For Nuclear Plant After Protests
The Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) has launched new public engagement measures in response to resistance to the planned building of a Ksh500 billion nuclear reactor in Siaya County.
In a statement issued on Saturday, May 23, NuPEA stated that it will respect the concerns highlighted.
However, also emphasized that public engagement remains a constitutional necessity and an important component of the country’s nuclear energy program.
“As the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, we hear and respect the voices of the residents of Siaya,” the agency stated.
“Public participation is not a mere procedural formality. It is a constitutional right.”
To the people of Siaya: your voices matter.
Public participation is a constitutional right & we are committed to it.
No infrastructure will be built without broad, informed community consent#Nuclear4Kenya #Siaya #LetsTalkNuclear #Nuclear4Good@WilliamsRuto @StateHouseKenya pic.twitter.com/vbj36dh4C1— Nuclear Power and Energy Agency – Kenya (@nuclearkenya) May 23, 2026
The agency announced that it is changing from high-level institutional planning to what it calls “deep, village-level grassroots sensitization” aimed at teaching local communities about the initiative.
NuPEA CEO Justus Wabuyabo assured people that no infrastructure will be created without the community’s wide, informed consent.
“We wish to assure the public that the stakeholder engagement process is firmly ongoing,” said Wabuyabo.
“We are moving from high-level institutional planning into deep, village-level grassroots sensitisation.”
He further pledged that the agency would conduct a transparent and multi-layered educational campaign to address fears surrounding nuclear safety, land issues, and the possible impact on livelihoods.
H.E President William SamoeiRuto @WilliamsRuto at the #AfricaForwardSummit: “Kenya is going to benefit from France’s understanding of nuclear energy.”
🌍 Over $11 billion in clean energy commitments. 11 bilateral deals.
One clear message:
The journey to 10,000 MW is underway pic.twitter.com/nGs7tdCbUR— Nuclear Power and Energy Agency – Kenya (@nuclearkenya) May 23, 2026
The announcement comes hardly two days after protests erupted in Sakwa village, Bondo sub-county, in Siaya County, as residents rejected the proposed nuclear plant.
Videos widely shared on social media on May 21 showed hundreds of residents gathered at the venue, chanting and shouting as they opposed the project.
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The protesters carried banners bearing messages such as “We Reject”, insisting on their strong opposition to the proposed multi-billion-shilling government project.
Chaos and loud confrontations reportedly engulfed the meeting, even as a moderator attempted to calm the residents during what appeared to be a public participation forum.
The Ksh500 billion project is expected to be financed through a mix of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), combining government resources and private-sector investment in a bid to reduce the burden on taxpayers while attracting international expertise.
Construction of the plant is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the Siaya county government already expressing support and goodwill toward the project.
EXPLAINER: Gov’t Announces Fresh Steps For Nuclear Plant After Protests
