Kenya has taken a major step toward introducing nuclear energy into its electrical grid after the government confirmed that the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) will operate the country’s first nuclear power plant.
The announcement was made on Monday by Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who said the move aligns with the administration’s target of adding at least 10 gigawatts of new power to support national development over the coming decade.
The first phase of the nuclear project is expected to deliver around 2 GW of electricity, with long-term plans to scale capacity to about 6 GW as readiness improves.
The appointment was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between KenGen and the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA).
This agreement establishes a Joint Engagement Framework intended to guide Kenya’s preparations for adopting nuclear power.
The framework is designed to support national communication, public engagement, scientific accuracy, and transparency as the country evaluates nuclear energy as part of its future energy mix.
Joint Working Group to Drive Public Awareness
Under the MoU, KenGen and NuPEA will establish a Joint Working Group tasked with several core responsibilities. These include designing a national communication and public-engagement strategy, identifying and mapping key stakeholder groups across all counties, and rolling out nationwide public education and media outreach campaigns.
The group will also organize technical forums and expert discussions and provide training for journalists, county officials, educators, and community leaders to build basic understanding of nuclear energy.
In addition, it will set up a shared feedback and grievance-handling mechanism that aligns with international best practices.
The Framework further covers early-stage site assessment and land-related procedures, where KenGen will apply its experience gained from managing large-scale infrastructure and power projects.
Both institutions emphasized that all siting activities will follow strict public-participation standards, continuous disclosure, and inclusive decision-making.
Officials noted that KenGen’s role as owner-operator is intended to leverage the company’s existing technical capacity, national presence, and operational history in managing diverse power plants, including geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar.
KenGen’s leadership expressed that the appointment aligns with their long-term strategy to provide a diversified and secure energy system for the nation.
If the plans proceed as outlined, nuclear power is expected to help stabilize electricity tariffs, minimize power outages, and create an energy landscape capable of supporting high-demand sectors such as manufacturing and digital industries.
The government views nuclear energy as a long-term solution for reinforcing Kenya’s baseload capacity in response to growing national power needs.
