Siaya County in Lake Victoria Basin is set to become a key business hub in Kenya’s energy sector following high-level consultations between the county leadership and national energy agencies over the planned construction of Ksh500 billion ($3.9 billion) nuclear power plant.

Siaya Governor James Orengo hosted a delegation from the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) and the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) to discuss the roadmap for implementing Kenya’s nuclear power programme.

The delegation included NuPEA Chair Lawrence Gumbe, Chief Executive Officer Justus Wabuyabo and KenGen CEO Peter Njenga. The officials briefed the county leadership on the progress made toward the proposed project, which is expected to significantly transform the country’s energy landscape.

According to the agencies, the project is currently scheduled for ground-breaking on March 1, 2027, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s quest to diversify its energy mix with high-capacity and carbon-neutral baseload power.

Governor Orengo welcomed the initiative, describing it as a key driver of economic growth both for Siaya County and the nation at large.

“Nuclear energy is vital in realising Kenya’s vision of being energy sufficient,” Orengo during the meeting said.

He added that the project will bring numerous benefits to local residents, including employment opportunities, infrastructure development and reliable electricity supply.

“The county stands to gain both directly and indirectly through employment and infrastructure development. Siaya residents will not only get jobs in the power plant but also access affordable and clean power. Potential investors will also invest in Siaya because of stable power,” he said.

The project is expected to have a significant impact on employment and economic development in the region. During the construction phase, it is projected to create about 10,000 jobs, while the operational phase will sustain an estimated 1,200 permanent positions.

In its first phase, the nuclear power plant is expected to generate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to stabilise the national grid, reduce frequent power outages and support industrial growth.

NuPEA Chair, Prof Lawrence Gumbe, noted that the broader nuclear power programme has the potential to generate up to 6,000mw in the long term. Gumbe explained that the implementation will be carried out in phases to ensure that the national grid can effectively integrate the additional power while maintaining high safety and operational standards.

Meanwhile, the county government, in collaboration with NuPEA and KenGen, plans to launch an extensive stakeholder engagement programme to educate residents about nuclear energy. The programme will focus on creating awareness about nuclear technology, addressing safety concerns and ensuring that the local community is actively involved in the project’s development.

The meeting was also attended by several county officials that included CECM for Governance Agunda Ochanda, County Secretary Joseph Ogutu and Energy Chief Officer Nicholas Kut Ochogo.

Delegation from NuPEA, KenGen and the County Government of Siaya during a consultative meeting held at the Governor’s office in Siaya County.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Calvin Otieno