A section of Luo elders from Siaya County has firmly rejected the government’s proposed multi-billion-shilling nuclear power plant, raising deep concerns over safety, environmental risks, and the State’s intentions in selecting their region for the project.
Speaking during a press conference on December 21, the elders said they had convened and unanimously resolved to oppose the establishment of a nuclear facility in Siaya. They questioned why their area was singled out and warned that the project posed potential long-term dangers not only to local communities but to the wider East African region.
“In view of the likely implications of the nuclear plant on health and the environment across the entire region, the council resolved to reject the nuclear project in totality,” the elders stated, calling on President William Ruto to put the plan on hold until exhaustive consultations are conducted.
The elders also announced the formation of a special committee to further interrogate the project’s implications, should the government insist on pushing it through. Their concerns come months after the Kenya Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) identified Siaya as the preferred site for Kenya’s first nuclear power plant.
The proposed KSh500 billion project is expected to initially generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity, with plans to scale up to 20,000 megawatts by 2040. NuPEA has earmarked several locations along Lake Victoria, citing the lake’s suitability for reactor cooling.
While the project has received backing from senior leaders, including Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi and Siaya Governor James Orengo, locals remain sceptical. A similar proposal in Kilifi was previously rejected by residents over environmental fears, a precedent the Siaya elders say reinforces their position.