Inside Kenya’s Nuclear Future: Sh500B Plant in Siaya to Launch with Global Safety Strategy

In a move that signals Kenya’s bold entry into the nuclear energy age, the government has unveiled an ambitious and highly secure plan to manage nuclear waste ahead of constructing the nation’s first nuclear power plant in Siaya County. 

Speaking during an interview on NTV on Wednesday, July 9, Justus Wabuyabo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), assured Kenyans that the issue of nuclear waste should not be a cause for concern.  

Leveraging cutting-edge technology, Wabuyabo affirmed that the country is prepared to safely manage all nuclear by-products, especially the highly sensitive spent nuclear fuel. 

“When we are talking about nuclear, I can assure Kenyans that management of nuclear waste should not be a worry at all,” said Wabuyabo. “The available technology now is such that the spent nuclear fuel is kept within the plant.” 

Wabuyabo explained that nuclear waste will initially remain safely contained inside the nuclear plant itself. Over time, the spent fuel will be sealed in dry casks for enhanced containment, an internationally accepted practice in nuclear safety. These casks are designed to securely store radioactive materials for up to a century. 

After the 100-year storage period, the spent fuel will be transferred to deep underground repositories. According to Wabuyabo, these repositories are being developed by the international nuclear community and are designed to offer long-term protection to both people and the environment. 

Furthermore, Wabuyabo clarified that Kenya would not handle the final disposal alone. Under agreements with supplier countries, nations that will provide both uranium and nuclear technology, vendors will eventually retrieve the sealed casks and ensure they are buried in globally approved depositories. 

“When we set up a plant, we will have an agreement with the vendor country,” he explained. “This country that sold us the technology during the decommissioning process is expected to come in, collect the casks, and put them in the final disposal sites.” 

The remarks come as President William Ruto’s administration pushes forward with a historic plan to build a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power station in Siaya County. Estimated to cost Ksh500 billion, the project will commence construction in 2027 and is expected to be operational by 2034. 

Once complete, the plant is expected to significantly boost Kenya’s power generation capacity, bridging the current energy deficit and powering homes, businesses, and industries. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has previously emphasized the project’s importance in driving economic development and industrialization. 

Currently, the Ministry of Energy is scouting for an optimal site along Lake Victoria, as proximity to a large water body is essential for the cooling systems used in nuclear reactors. 

Although the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gave Kenya the green light to begin developing nuclear energy back in 2021, the country has been working toward this goal since 2009. Now, with a concrete waste management plan in place and international partnerships lined up, the Siaya nuclear plant may become a turning point in Kenya’s energy future. 

As global energy demands rise and fossil fuel concerns persist, Kenya’s nuclear vision presents a calculated, long-term bet on clean, reliable, and secure power for generations to come.