A group of Luo elders has rejected President William Ruto's plan to establish a nuclear plant in Siaya, citing environmental concerns.
The elders, in a press conference on December 21, revealed that they held a meeting where they agreed to reject the proposed project in totality.
The elders cited health and environmental concerns regarding the nuclear project, not just in Kenya but in the entire East African region.
"In view of the likely implications of the nuclear plant for health and environmental concerns around the entire East African region, the council resolved to reject the nuclear project in totality," the elders announced.
The elders also announced they have established a committee to look further into the consequences of the project if the government goes ahead to establish the project.
Earlier in September, the Kenya Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) identified Siaya County as the preferred location for the country’s first nuclear power plant.
The Ksh500 billion project is expected to initially generate 1,000 MW of electricity, with long-term plans to scale up to 20,000 MW by 2040.
NuPEA is reportedly earmarking eight potential locations along the shores of Lake Victoria, which is critical for providing the massive amounts of water needed for cooling the reactors.
The areas include Lwanda Kotieno, Ugambe, Sirongo, Liunda, Manywanda, Osindo, Nyangoye, Kanyawayaga, and Dagamoyo.
The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had endorsed the plans for the construction of the power plant, describing it as a "massive game-changer" for the country's development.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi is pushing for the project in the Nyanza region, framing it as being crucial for Kenya’s industrialisation.
Siaya Governor James Orengo had also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the project, noting that it will create more job opportunities and transform the county into an economic hub.
The project had been set to be established in Kilifi, but the residents rejected it, citing similar environmental concerns.
This is one of President Ruto's key infrastructure projects to ensure Kenya gets to its first-world country status.
