Kenya’s planned nuclear power plant in Siaya County has been challenged at the East African Court of Justice over concerns about its proposed location near Lake Victoria.
The case was filed on September 23 by Siaya resident and human rights lawyer Dickens Ochieng, who is questioning the government’s decision to pursue the project in the Lake Victoria region.
The planned plant is expected to generate between 2,000 and 5,000 megawatts of electricity and would be Kenya’s first nuclear power facility.
Ochieng wants the court to examine whether the proposed site in Bondo is suitable for a nuclear power plant, particularly because of the environmental and ecological risks associated with its proximity to Lake Victoria.
He is also seeking a transboundary environmental assessment, arguing that any effects from the project could extend beyond Kenya since Lake Victoria is shared by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The lake supports millions of people in the three countries through activities such as fishing, agriculture and transport. Its waters also form part of the wider Nile Basin.
Concerns Over Environmental Assessment
The petition also raises questions about Kenya’s environmental assessment for the nuclear programme.
A Strategic Environmental Assessment carried out for the programme identified volcanic hazards in the Lake Victoria region as one of the factors that could affect the safety of a nuclear power plant.
Ochieng has further raised security concerns and accused the government of failing to carry out adequate public consultation and put in place sufficient measures to address potential risks.
The case comes as Kenya continues with preparations for its nuclear power programme.
The Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) has said the programme is being developed in phases, including site assessment, environmental studies, development of regulations and public engagement.
Kenya’s nuclear plans have previously attracted questions over the amount of money required to build the plant and the technical demands involved. Nuclear energy experts have noted that such projects require significant capital and can take years to complete.
Earlier plans had considered Uyombo in Kilifi County and another site in Turkana County before the focus shifted to the Lake Victoria region.
Kenya’s environmental assessment has also faced scrutiny from the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment, which said the report required key revisions before it could be used to support informed decision-making.
The government has continued to pursue nuclear power as part of efforts to increase electricity generation and diversify the country’s energy sources.
The East African Court of Justice has given the government 45 days to respond to the case.
The court proceedings are expected to bring further attention to the proposed location of the plant, its environmental safeguards and the process followed in engaging communities and other stakeholders.
