Tension is rising in Kilifi County following a unanimous rejection by local leaders of a proposed multibillion-shilling nuclear power plant in Uyombo, Matsangoni.
Spearheaded by Governor Gideon Mung’aro, the leaders have cited serious environmental risks and inadequate public consultation as the primary reasons for their firm opposition to the project.
Speaking during a high-level fact-finding mission led by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Governor Mung’aro criticized the national government and the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NUPEA) for sidelining the local community in key discussions.“We cannot support a project of this magnitude when our people have not been properly engaged.
The environmental risks far outweigh the potential benefits,” said Mung’aro, flanked by Kilifi’s MPs from Malindi, Kilifi South, Kaloleni, Rabai, Ganze, and Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu.
The leaders said the national government had failed to earn the community’s trust by not adequately sensitizing residents on the project’s implications. They demanded a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and full transparency moving forward.
In response, CS Wandayi acknowledged the concerns raised and promised that his ministry would not proceed without wide-ranging consultations. “We appreciate the feedback from Kilifi leaders. No final decision has been made, and we are committed to ensuring that public participation guides the way forward,” he stated.
The proposed Uyombo Nuclear Power Plant is part of Kenya’s long-term energy diversification strategy, but local resistance could stall its progress. Community voices, environmental activists, and county leadership are calling for inclusive dialogue, prioritizing the safety and well-being of Kilifi residents.
As the debate intensifies, the fate of the nuclear project hangs in the balance, with both the national government and local stakeholders under pressure to find common ground.
