The construction of the multi-billion nuclear facility in Kenya faces a significant obstacle as residents oppose its commencement. The nuclear power plant, which is expected to be constructed in Kilifi, has faced alot of objection and resentment from locals. Locals have mixed reactions to the proposed $3 billion nuclear facility in Uyombo, Kilifi county, where the facility is to be constructed. Some people insight that they are all in for the proposal while others remain skeptical about the project’s impacts. Expected to be operational by 2034, the facility will be able to produce up to 1 gigawatt of electricity annually once completed. This will be fundamental in meeting the power demands of the power-hungry nation as well as supporting its industrial growth. Recently, the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) prepared a sensitizaton campaign to inform locals on the advantages and importance of the facility.
The State of Affairs Regarding the Multi-Billion Nuclear Facility in Kenya
The Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) is heavily invested in expediting the construction of the multi-billion nuclear facility in Kenya. The Kenyan government expects to break down soon, but it seems challenging based on the locals’ resentment. However, the government remains adamant about ensuring that the facility takes shape soon, especially with the current electrical situation in the country. Having connected close to 10 million Kenyans to electricity by adding them to the grid, the government seeks to add to this number. Uyombo Madeteni B village elder Katsaka Kirao has rebuked the resentment sparked by a few individuals in the area. 
He urged the residents to consider the future and the opportunities the nuclear power plant would bring for them and the next generation. He notes that energy consumption in the country is growing, and it is essential to harness other energy sources. Furthermore, he adds that the plant will ensure a clean and stable energy supply. Residents are skeptical about the project, and they worry about the environmental impact it would have.
The Significance of the Project by the Kenyan Government Once Completed
The construction of the multi-billion nuclear facility in Kenya holds immense potential as an essential project for the region. The project will benefit residents in the coastal area, Kenya as a country, and East Africa. This is because the nuclear facility will be among the first of its kind in the region, paving the way for other plants to follow. Another resident, Bahati Karisa Mwenyeji, hoped to get employment once the project was implemented. “At the beginning, a group of people came to our village and told us to reject the project, but they didn’t give a valid reason.
“All they were saying was we would experience an incident similar to the Fukushima nuclear power accident in Japan, where a tsunami caused hydrogen explosions, reactor meltdowns, and mass evacuations,” Mwenyeji said. I don’t think the nuclear power plant will affect us. Good engineers should be hired to avoid violations of the safety regulations. The whole world is building NPPs; why can’t we?” He added.
Similar Power Projects Being Conducted Across the East African Region
Apart from the multi-billion nuclear facility in Kenya, other countries across the East African region are also implementing various projects. Recently, Uganda and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) started the second review of the country’s uranium programme in two years. The program will advance to the exploration phase and nuclear energy production in the next seven years. Amid funding hurdles for exploration and construction of plants, Uganda targets 24,000MW from atomic energy,
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