Former PM backs nuclear power but calls for caution, transparency, and international partnerships
Nairobi – Raila Odinga has called on the government to place public safety at the center of its plans to introduce nuclear energy in Kenya. Speaking Friday during a stakeholder forum in Nairobi, the former Prime Minister supported the pursuit of nuclear power but insisted it must be handled with caution and openness.
“The government must ensure that as we pursue nuclear energy, the safety of the people is not compromised at any point,” Odinga said. He urged authorities to collaborate with countries that have successfully implemented nuclear programs to avoid costly mistakes and gain technical expertise.
Odinga dismissed public fears over nuclear technology, stating that isolated accidents in other countries should not define the energy source. “Contrary to public opinion, nuclear energy is among the safest. The few incidents recorded globally were accidents not the norm,” he stated.
The government has committed to introducing nuclear energy into Kenya’s national grid by 2030, a target aligned with its broader Vision 2030 development agenda. The plan includes reducing dependency on hydropower and other high-cost energy sources while expanding the country’s electricity supply.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi reaffirmed the government’s position during the same forum. He said the ministry, in partnership with the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency and the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority, is committed to transparency throughout the process.
“We will engage with all stakeholders and keep the public informed at every stage. Our focus is to build public trust and ensure the highest levels of safety,” Wandayi said.
Alex Wachira, a senior official involved in the energy rollout, confirmed that Kenya is targeting 2030 for project completion, depending on successful assessments and regulatory approvals.
Senate Energy Committee Chairperson Oburu Oginga emphasized the importance of diversifying Kenya’s energy mix. “We cannot continue to rely heavily on hydropower and fossil fuels, which are expensive and unreliable. Nuclear energy offers a long-term solution,” he said.
Legislators Gedion Ochanda (Bondo) and David Ochieng (Ugenya) also attended the forum alongside engineers, scientists, and civil society representatives.
The proposed nuclear energy program was first incorporated into Kenya’s long-term energy strategy under Vision 2030. The government plans to construct a nuclear power plant in the coming years, with initial feasibility studies already completed.
As public debate grows around the safety and cost of nuclear power, the government faces pressure to assure citizens of its preparedness to handle the technology responsibly and transparently.
