ADVERT 
The Kenya Anti-Nuclear Alliance (KANA) has sharply condemned what it describes as violence, intimidation and arbitrary arrests of residents in Siaya County following public engagements over the proposed nuclear power plant, urging the government to embrace a transparent, rights-based approach to Kenya’s energy transition.
In a statement issued on Monday, the national lobby group accused security agencies of using excessive force against community members who attended a public sensitization meeting on July 23 at Lenya Trading Centre in Ka’John Village, Central Sakwa Ward, Bondo Sub-County.
According to KANA, the meeting—attended by officials from the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), the area’s Member of Parliament and local residents—turned chaotic after community members sought answers over the proposed project.
The alliance alleged that residents’ concerns were dismissed, culminating in violence and gunfire that reportedly left several people injured. Among those injured was David Otieno Mboya, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
ADVERTKANA further claimed that police intensified security operations in the area on July 24 and 25, leading to the arrest of 17 young people who are now facing possible prosecution.
The organization linked the latest developments in Siaya to Kenya’s broader debate over nuclear energy, noting that similar concerns had previously been raised by communities in Kilifi County, which had initially been identified as the preferred site for the country’s first nuclear power plant.
Residents in Kilifi had questioned the adequacy of public participation, potential environmental degradation, radioactive waste disposal, impacts on livelihoods and the long-term safety of the project.
The debate shifted in March 2026 when President William Ruto announced during the International Conference on Nuclear Energy (ICoNE) in Nairobi that Siaya County would instead host Kenya’s first nuclear power plant.
Following the announcement, KANA said Siaya residents began expressing concerns similar to those previously raised in Kilifi. In April, locals submitted a petition with more than 400 signatures to NuPEA and the Siaya County Government, citing fears over possible contamination of Lake Victoria, disruption of fishing livelihoods, displacement of communities, radioactive waste management and inadequate public participation.
Although NuPEA later pledged to conduct a comprehensive public education campaign to address public concerns, KANA maintains that the engagement has fallen short of the constitutional threshold for meaningful public participation.
The alliance called on the government, NuPEA, KenGen and other state agencies to immediately restore public confidence through transparent, accountable and inclusive dialogue with affected communities.
KANA also urged authorities to halt intimidation and harassment of residents opposed to the project and institute an independent investigation into the reported use of force, injuries and arrests arising from the July 23–25 incidents.
The organization insisted that communities should not be treated as passive beneficiaries of development but as rights holders entitled to access information, ask questions and influence decisions affecting their land, livelihoods and environment.
“As Kenya advances its energy transition, development must be people-centred, environmentally responsible and grounded in justice,” the alliance said.
KANA argued that the experiences in Kilifi and Siaya demonstrate that sustainable development cannot succeed without public trust, genuine democratic participation and respect for constitutional rights.
The alliance reiterated that Kenya’s energy transition should ultimately be judged not only by the electricity it generates but also by its ability to protect ecosystems, uphold human dignity and strengthen local communities.
KANA said it remains committed to working with government agencies, civil society organizations, researchers, development partners and local communities to promote an equitable, transparent and sustainable energy future.
