Barely 24 hours after being heckled and forced to cut short his speech at a stormy political rally in Usenge, Siaya County, Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo took centre stage at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and delivered a compelling keynote address that signalled strong unity with President William Ruto on Kenya’s ambitious nuclear energy future.
The dramatic turnaround unfolded at the opening of the International Conference on Nuclear Energy (ICoNE 2026), a high-level gathering of global stakeholders, regulators, investors and energy experts. With President Ruto presiding, Orengo left no doubt about Siaya’s commitment to hosting Kenya’s first nuclear power plant.
“Siaya County is ready to play a pivotal role as host and partner in Kenya’s first nuclear plant, set to begin construction next year,” Orengo declared. “We are offering not just land, but a stable, supportive, and forward-looking environment for this historic venture.”
The remarks drew applause from an international audience that included partners from the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, the US Department of State, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and other key players in the global nuclear sector.
The timing could not have been more striking. On Tuesday, during President Ruto’s event to launch the Usenge Beach Pier in Siaya, sections of the crowd booed Governor Orengo amid simmering local political tensions, cutting his welcome remarks short. Yet by Wednesday, the two leaders stood shoulder-to-shoulder, speaking in one voice on a project that could reshape Kenya’s energy landscape.
President Ruto threw his full backing behind the Siaya site, describing the planned 2,000MW nuclear facility as safe and reliable when supported by strong institutions. He urged residents to embrace the project for the thousands of jobs and massive economic boost it promises, with construction slated for 2027 and commissioning targeted for 2034.
Orengo, known for his eloquent and bold style, framed the nuclear programme in powerful terms that aligned closely with the President’s vision of transforming Kenya into a developed nation. He told the audience that embracing nuclear energy is essential if the country wants to reach its full potential.
For Siaya, the opportunity is enormous. The county has already hosted technical teams from the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) and KenGen to advance site preparations for the multi-billion-shilling project. Orengo has consistently assured investors that Siaya brings more than strategic location — it offers political goodwill, community readiness and determined leadership focused on development.
The three-day ICoNE 2026 has been hailed as a landmark platform for advancing Kenya’s goal of expanding its installed energy capacity significantly and positioning the country among nations harnessing nuclear power for sustainable growth.
While some observers may still point to the Usenge incident as a reminder of lingering political divisions, Wednesday’s events at KICC sent a clear and louder message: on matters of strategic national development like nuclear energy, old rivalries can give way to shared purpose.
Kenya is no longer debating whether to pursue nuclear power — the focus has shifted to doing it safely, sustainably and with urgency. Siaya has stepped forward as a willing and ready partner, positioning the lakeside county at the heart of this transformative journey.
As the road to Kenya’s industrial future takes shape, it now appears set to pass through a nuclear-powered plant on the shores of Lake Victoria — with Governor Orengo and President Ruto aligned on the vision.
