NAIROBI —Kenya plans to begin construction of its first nuclear power plant in 2027, with a target to feed power into the national grid by 2034 marking a major step in the country’s ambitions to secure reliable, low-carbon electricity.
“We’re now entering the critical stage,” said Justus Wabuyabo, chief executive of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), during a televised interview on state broadcaster. “This has been in the pipeline since 2010. Now, we’re finally ready to break ground.”
The project, if completed on schedule, would place Kenya alongside South Africa and Egypt as the only African nations with nuclear energy programmes at this level. South Africa currently operates the continent’s only commercial nuclear plant, while Egypt’s first facility is under construction.
A Long Road to Nuclear Power
Nuclear energy was first proposed in Kenya over a decade ago as part of a broader effort to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on hydropower, which has been hit by prolonged droughts. Progress has been steady but slow, owing to regulatory, technical and financial hurdles.
Wabuyabo said NuPEA is finalising site assessments, regulatory frameworks and partnerships for the multibillion-shilling venture. While the final cost and funding details have not been publicly confirmed, the agency says the plant will create up to 10,000 direct jobs during construction.
Building Skills Before Breaking Ground
Critics have long questioned whether Kenya has the skilled labour force required to run such a high-risk, high-tech facility. But NuPEA insists it is laying the groundwork.
“We have already trained dozens of Kenyans abroad in countries with advanced nuclear expertise,” Wabuyabo said. “And we’re working closely with local universities to develop our own curriculum here.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has previously advised that human capacity and regulatory independence are key to a safe and successful nuclear rollout in developing countries.
NuPEA maintains that safety and public trust are at the centre of its preparations. The agency is also expected to begin nationwide public awareness campaigns ahead of construction.
Powering Kenya’s Future
Kenya’s push into nuclear comes amid growing energy demand and pressure to transition to cleaner sources. The country has made progress with geothermal, wind and solar, which now account for over 80% of power generation. Yet supply remains vulnerable to seasonal swings and high costs.
“Nuclear is not just about adding megawatts,” said Wabuyabo. “It’s about building long-term energy security.”
If completed, the plant would help bridge Kenya’s narrow electricity reserve margin, which in early 2025 was just four megawatts above peak demand a dangerously thin buffer for a country aiming to industrialize.
While some energy analysts say Kenya should focus on scaling up renewables first, others argue that nuclear provides dependable baseload power that complements weather-dependent sources.
As the global conversation shifts toward clean and stable energy solutions, Kenya appears ready to stake its place at the table atom by atom.
