Kenya plans to build an Sh80 billion nuclear research reactor at Konza Technopolis. The nuclear reactor will be used to locally produce drugs for cancer treatment. This move will cut over-reliance on imports from South Africa and expensive medical trips to India
The project will be implemented via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Also, it is expected to address the Kenya’s huge cancer burden and position Kenya as a regional medical hub.
A Game Changer for Kenya’s Healthcare and Industrialisation
Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Prof Abdulrazak Shaukat stated the facility will be a game changer for Kenya’s healthcare. Also, it will be a game changer for Kenya’s industrialisation agenda despite its high cost.
“This is a mega project, and you know very well that we already have a framework in Treasury for public-private partnerships. This is one of the projects that we are going to undertake through this arrangement,” Prof. Shaukat said.
During interview with KNA after the IAEA Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission for a New Research Reactor Phase 2 that was hosted by the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) in Nairobi, the PS defended the Sh. 80 billion price tag. Hes defended it by saying the returns will be massive.
“When you look at this investment, it is a huge amount of money. However, you can see the dividends that we are going to get out of this. Can you imagine if we have our own centres of producing medical isotopes, and we don’t need to import anymore?” he posed.
General Cancer Statistics in Kenya
Prof. Shaukat said Kenya records 43,000 cases of cancer annually across its 47 counties, with 20,000 deaths. He added by stating that having the reactor in place will be a game changer.
The project, he said was important adding that nuclear science and technology will be central to Kenya’s industrialisation dream.
“We are on the trajectory of industrialising this country so that we can be able to move to the first world status. Also, if you have to do that science, technology and innovation must be at the centre of all this. Nuclear science and technology is one of them,” he said.
The PS stated that Kenya is ready for the programme. He noted the country has been a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 1965 and has trained personnel.
“It’s not something new that we are doing. Kenya has been a member of the IAEA since 1965. We have the capacity. We have people who have been trained to be able to run this but above all we have the International Atomic Energy Agency that continues to provide that support in terms of technical and of course building capacity and capability,” he said.
A Boost for Kenya’s Medical Tourism
NuPEA Chief Executive Officer Justus Wabuyabo said the facility will boost medical tourism. It would get patients from Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and other neighbouring countries who will be seeking treatment in Kenya instead of India.
A Training Ground for Kenya’s First Nuclear Power Plant
Wabuyabo said the research reactor will also serve as a training ground for the country’s first nuclear power plant.
“Kenya is going to break ground for the first nuclear power plant of 2000 megawatts in Siaya next year, with the power going to the grid in 2034. The research reactor will be a very useful tool for training purposes. Instead of taking all our engineers and scientists to study abroad, we can utilise this research reactor as a training ground for the workers in the nuclear power plant,” he said.
He allayed safety and environmental fears, saying the IAEA is guiding Kenya to ensure all safeguards are met before implementation.
“IAEA is the global nuclear organisation that guides all nations in utilisation of nuclear technology and they are here to help us work through the issues of safety and security. They and will ensure that before Kenya implements this project all safety and security features have been addressed,” he said.
Project Factsheet
Location: Konza Technopolis, Kenya
Estimated Cost: Sh80 Billion
Financing Model: Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
Implementing Agency: Nuclear Power & Energy Agency (NuPEA)
Technical Oversight: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Core Objectives and Primary Use
Local Cancer Drug Production: Produces essential medical radioisotopes (such as Molybdenum-99) locally to diagnose and treat cancer, cutting costly imports from South Africa and medical travel to India.
Workforce Training and Capacity Building: Acts as a hands-on training ground for Kenyan engineers and scientists ahead of the country’s planned 2,000 MW nuclear power plant in Siaya.
Regional Medical Hub: Serves neighboring countries including Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia to boost regional medical tourism.
Industrial and Scientific R&D: Drives Kenya’s broader industrialization agenda through advanced nuclear science, technology, and innovation.
Impact at a Glance
Healthcare Burden: Addresses Kenya’s 43,000 annual cancer cases and 20,000 deaths with affordable local therapies.
Supply Chain: Eliminates long supply delays for short-lived medical isotopes that decay during transport.
Safety & Safeguards: Guided by IAEA Phase 2 infrastructure reviews to satisfy international security, safety, and environmental standards.
Leave a Reply