Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) workers walk at the Olkaria II Geothermal power plant near the Rift Valley town of Naivasha, Kenya February 15, 2018. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
Kenya has taken a historic step in its energy transformation journey with the formal designation of Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) as the owner and operator of the country’s first nuclear power plant. The announcement—made by Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi—marks a major milestone in the government’s plan to expand Kenya’s electricity supply with reliable, low-carbon nuclear energy
Under a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Nairobi, KenGen will partner with the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) to prepare Kenya for nuclear power deployment. The agreement establishes a Joint Engagement Framework to build institutional readiness, strengthen governance, and drive stakeholder and public engagement as the project moves from planning to implementation.
Why KenGen? Experience Meets Ambition
The choice of KenGen wasn’t made lightly. As Kenya’s largest power producer, generating approximately 75 percent of the country’s installed electricity capacity, KenGen brings decades of expertise managing diverse power generation assets. The company currently operates geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar facilities—a portfolio that positions it uniquely to tackle the complexities of nuclear power.
“KenGen has led Kenya’s clean-energy evolution—from hydropower to geothermal and wind,” said KenGen Managing Director and CEO Peter Njenga. “Nuclear energy is the next frontier for nations seeking stable, affordable, low-carbon baseload power.”
Board Chairman Alfred Agoi emphasized the company’s proven track record: “We have long experience and expertise in construction, operation and maintenance of power plants ranging from geothermal, hydro, wind, solar and now we’re ready to lead the next phase to help Kenya develop its first nuclear power plant.”
The appointment aligns with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements, which mandate that countries establishing nuclear programs must designate a qualified owner-operator responsible for licensing, regulatory compliance, staffing, training, and operational management.
A New Phase for Kenya’s Energy Sector
The nuclear power programme is part of Kenya’s broader strategy to add up to 10 gigawatts (GW) of power to the national grid, meeting rising demand and supporting industrial growth. The first nuclear facility is expected to start with an output of about 2 GW, with plans to scale to 6 GW or more in subsequent phases.
CS Wandayi said the appointment of KenGen as owner-operator ensures the programme is anchored in strong technical capacity, public trust, and long-term national interests. He explained that nuclear energy can provide a stable baseload power source—complementing Kenya’s existing renewable capacities such as geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar—and help mitigate power outages while supporting economic competitiveness.
Siaya County: The Chosen Location
After extensive evaluations and considerable controversy, NuPEA settled on Siaya County as the preferred location for Kenya’s inaugural nuclear facility. Specifically, the site at Luanda Kotieno in the Bondo area emerged as the frontrunner.
The decision wasn’t without drama. Initially, the government had considered Uyombo in Kilifi County along Kenya’s southeastern coast, but fierce local opposition—including protests, police confrontations, and arrests—forced officials to reconsider. Residents and environmental activists raised concerns about potential impacts on the coastal fishing industry and marine ecosystems.
The pivot to Siaya proved more politically palatable. Local leaders, including Governor James Orengo and veteran politician Raila Odinga, have embraced the project enthusiastically. Siaya’s location near Lake Victoria provides a crucial advantage: abundant water resources necessary for cooling nuclear reactors.
“The fact that we took this region as a candidate host for the power plant is a recognition of its unique strategic advantages,” Raila Odinga stated at a nuclear energy stakeholder engagement forum at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Governor Orengo has championed the project as transformative for the county’s economy, promising lower electricity tariffs for residents, infrastructure improvements, and job creation. “Kenya cannot talk about becoming an industrial power while producing just 3,000 megawatts of electricity,” he argued. “If Siaya can take the lead, why not?”
The Joint Engagement Framework: Transparency as Strategy
The MoU between KenGen and NuPEA establishes more than just operational responsibilities—it creates a Joint Engagement Framework designed to build public confidence in Kenya’s nuclear program through unprecedented transparency and community involvement.
This framework includes:
- Public Education Campaigns: Nationwide initiatives to explain nuclear technology, safety measures, and environmental protections
- Stakeholder Mapping: Identifying key community groups, opinion leaders, and institutions across all counties
- Technical Forums: Expert dialogues bringing together scientists, policymakers, and community representatives
- Media Training: Specialized programs for journalists to ensure accurate reporting on nuclear issues
- Community Leader Briefings: Targeted sessions for county officials, educators, and local authorities on nuclear fundamentals
Energy CS Wandayi emphasized that transparency would define Kenya’s nuclear journey: “This MoU will deepen public awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement, enhance institutional capabilities, and prepare the ground for a reliable low-carbon baseload option.”
The comprehensive engagement strategy acknowledges past mistakes—particularly the insufficient consultation that sparked opposition in Kilifi—and aims to ensure Kenyans feel informed, heard, and involved in the nuclear program’s development.
International Partnerships and Technology Transfer
Kenya isn’t going nuclear alone. The country has established cooperation agreements with major nuclear powers to facilitate knowledge transfer, capacity building, and technology access.
Current international partnerships include:
- United States: Technical assistance through the FIRST (Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology) program
- China: Knowledge sharing and potential reactor technology collaboration
- South Korea: Anticipated agreement for capacity building and expertise exchange
- IAEA: Ongoing guidance through the milestone approach for nuclear development
These partnerships ensure Kenya benefits from decades of global nuclear experience while adhering to international safety standards and best practices.
The government is particularly interested in Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, which offers several advantages for developing nations: lower initial capital requirements, enhanced safety features, and the ability to scale capacity incrementally. Kenya targets deploying SMRs generating approximately 300 megawatts, with potential for scaling up across multiple counties.
Beyond Siaya: Kenya’s Long-term Nuclear Vision
The Siaya plant represents just the beginning of Kenya’s nuclear ambitions. Government officials have outlined plans for additional facilities once the first plant becomes operational:
- Kilifi County: Secondary nuclear facility planned for the coast
- Kwale County: Another potential coastal location under consideration
- County-level SMRs: Plans to introduce smaller nuclear units in every county using Small Modular Reactor technology
This distributed approach aims to improve energy access nationwide while creating regional economic development opportunities.
The scale of Kenya’s nuclear program, if fully realized, would position the country as a continental leader in nuclear energy. NuPEA has set an ambitious target of 20,000 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2040—a figure that would fundamentally transform Kenya’s energy landscape.
KenGen’s Readiness and Market Confidence
KenGen enters the nuclear arena from a position of financial strength. Recent financial results show total assets of Sh505.6 billion, up from Sh491.3 billion the previous year. Shareholder equity climbed to Sh284.5 billion, and the company ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of Sh30.1 billion.
The company’s current project pipeline of 253 megawatts—including the 63MW Olkaria I project, the 42.5MW Seven Forks Solar Project, and the 8.6MW Gogo Hydro Power Plant upgrade—demonstrates continued commitment to diversified energy development.
KenGen’s G2G 2034 Strategy aims to accelerate renewable energy development and diversify revenue streams, with nuclear power now positioned as a cornerstone of this long-term vision.
The company’s listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and 70 percent government ownership provide both market discipline and strategic alignment with national energy policy.
The Road Ahead: Milestones and Timeline
Kenya’s nuclear journey follows the IAEA’s phased approach to nuclear infrastructure development. According to officials, the country is currently progressing through Phase 2 of the milestone approach, which focuses on preparing for construction decisions.
Key upcoming milestones include:
- 2025-2026: Completion of KenGen leadership induction and institutional capacity building
- 2027: Anticipated groundbreaking for construction at Luanda Kotieno site
- 2027-2034: Construction phase with ongoing public engagement and regulatory oversight
- 2034: Target commissioning date for Kenya’s first nuclear power plant
Energy CS Wandayi’s declaration that “this marks the beginning of Kenya’s nuclear-power era” reflects governmental confidence that the program will proceed despite challenges.
Regional Implications: East Africa Watches
Kenya’s nuclear ambitions haven’t gone unnoticed regionally. As the first East African nation to pursue nuclear power seriously, Kenya could become either a model for neighbors or a cautionary tale—depending on how successfully the program is implemented.
If successful, the project could:
- Position Kenya as an energy exporter to the East African Community
- Attract nuclear-related industries and skilled professionals to the region
- Demonstrate that African nations can manage advanced nuclear technology responsibly
- Create a blueprint for other developing countries considering nuclear power
Regional energy cooperation already exists, with Kenya purchasing power from Ethiopia and Uganda. Nuclear capacity could shift these dynamics, potentially making Kenya a net exporter and strengthening its economic position within the East African Community.
