Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) CEO Justus Wabuyabo, in an interview, outlined significant achievements and future strategies to ensure the success of this ambitious project.
Wabuyabo said international collaborations, investments in human capital, and the development of essential legal and regulatory frameworks are some of the plans.
With key agreements in place and ongoing engagements with global nuclear powers, Wabuyabo was optimistic of doing the groundbreaking in the next one year and commission it by 2034.
This year, he said, the agency made major strides by forging key agreements with China and South Korea to provide training for Kenyan personnel in top universities across both countries.
“Currently, five Kenyans are pursuing studies at Tsinghua University in China, while eight others are enrolled at the KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) and Seoul National University in South Korea,” he said.
These initiatives, he said, are part of a broader effort to build local expertise and human capital to support Kenya's nuclear energy ambitions.
Highlighting the success of the engagements with Chinese and South Korean counterparts, the CEO revealed that the they have also committed to increase scholarships for Kenyan students from five to 100 annually for the next three years.
“All these opportunities are expected to foster a new generation of highly skilled professionals who will contribute to the growth of the nuclear energy sector,” he said.
The second US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES) held in Nairobi in August this year, he noted, provided another milestone for NuPEA.
Wabuyabo stated that the summit was a critical platform for Kenya to build networks with leading global nuclear energy companies, as well as US governmental agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
“These engagements resulted in an agreement to enhance the capacity of the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) and offer sponsorships for scientific visits to China and European countries,” he said.
The visits, he said, will provide Kenyan policymakers, local communities, and other stakeholders with firsthand exposure to nuclear technology and its applications.
Looking ahead, Wabuyabo announced plans for a National Nuclear Energy Conference in August 2025.
The event will bring together nuclear power experts from countries like the US, China, France, South Korea, and Russia, along with local African industries.
According to the CEO, the conference will be crucial as it will offer valuable insights into the best practices and lessons learned from nations currently utilising nuclear technology.
In a bid to address any concerns from local communities, the agency plans to engage with local leaders and communities in Kilifi County, where the plant is set to be established as well as engage the Ministry of Lands and the Lands Commission finalise the acquisition of the land.
Legal and regulatory frameworks
As part of preparations for the nuclear plant, Wabuyabo emphasised the importance of establishing a robust legal and regulatory framework.
“We will need a national nuclear law which will define players in the nuclear space and their role because according to the guidance of International Energy Agency (IEA), we need to establish the owner operator-the organisation that will own and operate the plant,” he said.
“We will also have to create a radioactive waste management institution to deal with issues like commissioning of the project.”
The successful ratification of various international treaties will also be a priority for the agency in the coming months according to the CEO.
By 2026, he said they intend to invite bids for the construction of the plant.
Wabuyabo noted that this ratification would enhance confidence among potential development partners, ensuring the smooth implementation of the nuclear power project.
To support the growth of the nuclear energy sector, Wabuyabo said the agency plans to work with local universities and technical institutions to upgrade the skills of Kenyan youth, preparing them for careers in the nuclear sector.
He further stressed the need for political goodwill, highlighting the importance of top leadership, including the President, making public declarations of support for the nuclear energy project.
“Such support would provide the necessary confidence to both local and international partners involved in the development of Kenya’s nuclear energy infrastructure,” he said.