By: Dawan Africa

A major infrastructure proposal in Kenya has ignited a heated national debate, with Siaya Governor James Orengo emerging as a leading political advocate for a planned KSh 500 billion nuclear power plant. Orengo positions the project as a strategic investment in Kenya's industrialization, long-term energy security, and local skills development.

To counter what he describes as public anxiety driven by fear and a lack of understanding, Governor Orengo has proposed sponsoring a delegation of Siaya leaders to visit the International Atomic Energy Agency in Austria. This initiative aims to build technical knowledge and foster informed local advocacy, based on the belief that exposure to international standards can transform opposition into support.

Despite this push, the project faces significant grassroots resistance. Residents, environmental advocates, and a group of Luo elders have voiced deep concerns over potential nuclear accidents, the risk of radioactive contamination to Lake Victoria, long-term health impacts, and the possibility of corruption and mismanagement given Kenya’s track record with mega-projects. Similar objections previously arose in Kilifi and Turkana, other regions once considered for the plant.

Proponents, including senior national figures, argue that Kenya’s current electricity capacity—around 4,000 megawatts is inadequate for large-scale industrial growth. They champion nuclear power as a stable, low-carbon solution capable of supporting manufacturing and technology sectors. The proposed plant would initially generate about 1,000 megawatts, with ambitions to scale up to 20,000 megawatts by 2040.

Orengo has also linked the project to educational advancement, urging local universities to establish nuclear science programmes to cultivate a skilled workforce. Nevertheless, opposition remains firm, underscoring a fundamental national dilemma: balancing the promise of abundant, clean energy for economic transformation against fears of irreversible environmental and health risks. The Siaya controversy highlights nuclear power as one of Kenya’s most contentious development decisions for the coming decade.