The Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) has announced fresh public engagement plans following opposition over the planned construction of Ksh500 billion nuclear facility in Siaya County.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement on Saturday, May 23, NuPEA said it would respect the concerns raised, insisting that public participation remains a constitutional requirement and a key part of the country’s nuclear energy programme.

"As the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, we hear and respect the voices of the residents of Siaya. Public participation is not a mere procedural formality. It is a constitutional right,” the agency stated.

The agency revealed that it is now shifting from high-level institutional planning to what it described as deep, village-level grassroots sensitisation aimed at educating local communities about the project.

📌 What You Need to Know

NuPEA Chief Executive Officer Justus Wabuyabo assured residents that no infrastructure would be developed without what it termed the broad, informed consent of the community.

“We wish to assure the public that the stakeholder engagement process is firmly ongoing. We are moving from high-level institutional planning into deep, village-level grassroots sensitisation,” said Wabuyabo.

He further pledged that the agency would conduct a transparent and multi-layered educational campaign to address f ears surrounding nuclear safety, land issues, and the possible impact on livelihoods.

The announcement comes hardly two days after protests erupted in Sakwa village, Bondo sub-county, in Siaya County, as residents rejected the proposed nuclear plant.

Videos widely shared on social media on May 21 showed hundreds of residents gathered at the venue, chanting and shouting as they opposed the project.

The protesters carried banners bearing messages such as “We Reject" , insisting on their strong opposition to the proposed multi-billion-shilling government project.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke