Siaya Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo on Friday threw his full support behind President William Samoei Ruto’s plan to build Kenya’s first nuclear power plant in Siaya County by 2027, dismissing safety fears as outdated “scarecrows” that should not block progress.
Speaking at a joint press conference with former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju, Orengo directly countered concerns over radiation, waste, and governance, insisting nuclear energy is safe when properly managed and vital for Kenya’s future.
“This scarecrow should not be there. Nuclear energy is safe; it depends on who does it,” Orengo declared.
He corrected Tuju’s claim about Germany phasing out nuclear power: “You said Germany is phasing nuclear energy out, but Germany is phasing in. They had banned nuclear plants, but now they are going back to it.”
Orengo argued Kenya cannot afford to lag behind. While Ethiopia produces 10,000 megawatts, Kenya currently generates only 4,000MW. The proposed 2,000MW Siaya nuclear plant would transform the national grid.
“We have an SGR, but we cannot electrify it because we don’t have enough energy,” he said. “If you want a train from Mombasa to Kisumu, with our current power you will only reach Mazeras.”
The governor acknowledged risks with nuclear waste but stressed that proper safety, health, and stability measures would ensure benefits outweigh the downsides. He called for honest dialogue among leaders instead of rejecting a major opportunity.
Tuju had warned that Kenya lacks capacity for such a complex project. “We cannot even run our matatus safely, how will we run our nuclear plant? It is a big joke,” he said.
Orengo pushed back, urging focus on the huge gains: reliable electricity, job creation, and positioning Kenya as a regional energy leader.
The robust defence comes weeks after Ruto announced the ambitious project, expected to generate 2,000 megawatts and boost Kenya toward first-world energy status.
