By Anderson Ojwang
The proposal to construct a nuclear energy power plant in Siaya county has sharply divided leaders and the residents.
While former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is drumming support for the plant, the son of freedom fighter the late Jaramogi Ochieng Oneko, Nam Achieng Oneko, has rejected the proposal and wants the government to invest in renewable energy such as solar energy.
In his letter to County Commissioner Siaya and Chief Executive Officer Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NUPEA) captioned “RE: Stakeholders engagement to establish a Nuclear power plant in Siaya,” he expressed fear of dangers of installing a nuclear plant in Siaya.
“I lived through the Chernobyl nuclear disaster while as a student in Ukraine. I believe I was directly impacted by the radiation. It saddens me that Siaya has been earmarked for such a project.
The dangers of installing a nuclear plant in Siaya today and in future include: nuclear reactor accidents and radioactive material release, radioactive waste management challenges, health risks from radiation exposure, environmental impact from water usage and uranium mining or use, terrorism and sabotage risks, seismic risks due to Siaya’s location, security concerns related to flooding and water contamination, and financial sustainability challenges.
Germany, a highly developed country with fewer natural energy resources, has completely decommissioned its nuclear power plants and is focused on renewable sources of electricity. The final three reactors were shut down in April 2023, marking the completion of the country’s long-planned nuclear phase-out,” he wrote.
He said the initiative was not only a dangerous, complex and expensive project to undertake but also to decommission.
“Many western nations are now distancing themselves from such nuclear projects. They are clear why. USA historically built nuclear power plants as a technology leader after 2nd World War – Security concerns. China is building nuclear power plants to reduce its air pollution from overuse of coal. In Kenya or specifically in Siaya what is our WHY? We still have a chance to focus on renewable energy,” he asked.
He said installing nuclear power reactors, especially with the stringent measures required for safety and security, is one of the most complex undertakings for Siaya county or Kenya as a nation. It demands a multi-layered approach involving technical, regulatory, human, and financial expertise.
Oneko said this was a long-term investment; Siaya and Kenya cannot import all the expertise forever.
“With the same funding – why not install renewable energy like solar and wind??” he quipped.
Raila has described the nuclear power plant as a massive game-changer.
Recently Raila asked the residents and leaders to support the project, saying if successfully implemented, nuclear power will be a game changer in the socio-economic development of the counties and the country at large.
Raila, who spoke in Bondo, during a nuclear stakeholder engagement, said the project represented a monumental step towards energy security, industrialisation, and sustainable growth.
“Site selection for a nuclear power plant is critical. The identification of the Lake Victoria Region as a candidate host for the nuclear power plant is a recognition of its unique strategic advantages. It is important that there be a genuine and detailed engagement with the people, the leaders, and all stakeholders, and have all concerns raised and addressed,” he said.
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi said the successful implementation of the nuclear power programme will provide numerous benefits to various sectors of Kenya’s economy.
Leaders and residents of Kilifi county had earlier rejected the project and this led the government to identify Siaya as the probable destination.
The multibillion Uyombo Nuclear power plant in Kilifi county was rejected by the leaders due to what they termed as harmful effect on the community and environment.
Kilifi governor Gideon Mung’aro faulted the NUPEA officials for failing to inform the public and local community before broaching the project to them.
He said the community received extensive civic education on the risks associated with the nuclear power plant.
“The residents of Uyombo have been informed well on the negative effects of the projects than the government and that is why as leaders we have told the CS there is no room for this project,” he said.
Kilifi North MP Owen Baya said the county did not have any available site for nuclear plant.
“The government is welcomed to consult with us and even the locals on the way forward, but our position as of now is very clear, we are not ready to host a such plant,” he said.
NuPEA has commenced the process of identifying the site for Kenya’s first nuclear power plant in Siaya county.
NuPEA Director of Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Development, Eng. Erick Ohaga, said the exercise marks the beginning of a nine-year journey that will see Kenya switch on its first nuclear plant in 2034.
Eng. Ohaga revealed that eight locations have been earmarked in Siaya: Ugambe, Sirongo, Liunda, Manywanda, Osindo, Nyangoye, Kanyawayaga and Dagamoyo.
Over the next two weeks, NuPEA teams will collect seismological, population, electrical grid, infrastructure, meteorological, and hydrological data. The information will guide the ranking of the sites to narrow them down to two, the most preferred and an alternative, by the end of October.
“These two sites will undergo further engineering studies for two years, alongside environmental impact assessments to determine the project’s sensitivity to marine life,” Ohaga said. He added that construction will begin once feasibility studies are complete and the final site selected.
The planned nuclear power plant, to be built at a cost of Sh500 billion, is expected to generate 20,000 MW of electricity for the national grid by 2040.
