Coastal residents in Kenya are voicing strong opposition to the country’s first proposed nuclear power plant, citing concerns over environmental impact and safety as debates intensify.
A site in Kenya’s southern Kilifi County has been designated for the country’s first nuclear facility. This project, located along the Indian Ocean coast, is anticipated to be fully operational by 2034.
However, it has encountered strong resistance.
On Friday, October 11th, a group of activists and environmentalists marched through the streets.
Francis Auma, a human rights activist, stated that the project would have numerous negative impacts including birth defects in children from the area, fish mortality, and the destruction of Arabuko Sokoke forest—a sanctuary for internationally-known bird species.
With an estimated budget of 500 billion Kenyan shillings, equivalent to $3.9 billion.
The plant is anticipated to produce 1,000 megawatts of power and forms a key component of Kenya’s long-term strategy to decrease its dependence on hydroelectric and fossil fuel energy sources.
“Five hundred billion dollars could produce over two thousand megawatts of energy. So why are we utilizing it to generate only a thousand megawatts for just sixty years, after which it’s depleted? Especially when renewable resources can provide sustainable power for countless generations,” questioned the Executive Director of the Centre for Justice Governance and Environmental Action.
“We are here to express our opposition; we strongly believe that the Kilifi County Government should not be burdened with managing nuclear waste.”
Tourism and the Risks of Radiation
Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency has consistently denied assertions from residents and environmentalists that the planned nuclear power plant will pose any threat to local inhabitants, even in the face of opposition from community members and ecological organizations.
There are also concerns about the transparency of the decision-making process, with claims that local residents have not been properly informed or included.
Residents of Uyombo, who largely depend on fishing and tourism for their livelihoods, are concerned about the environmental and health effects posed by the plant. They are especially worried about radiation risks and potential disruptions to marine ecosystems.
“I’ve been a fisherman for twenty years, relying on fishing to make my living. If they build a nuclear plant here, it will destroy the fish breeding sites,” said local fisherman Timothy.
In previous statements, the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency has pledged to guarantee the safety and security of both people and the environment before commencing construction in 2027.
