Kenya has completed its first-ever regional post-graduate training programme on nuclear and radiation safety conducted through a multi-agency approach.
Twenty students from 13 countries graduated last Thursday at Kenyatta University after completing the high-level programme sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The course was conducted by the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority in partnership with Kenyatta University, the University of Nairobi, Multimedia University and Kenyatta National Hospital.
The participants were mainly drawn from nuclear regulatory authorities in their countries.
Kenya becomes the second country after Ghana to host the course in Africa for English-speaking countries.
The next course will start in October 2025.
KNRA director general James Keter said the training was aimed at empowering young professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure full-proof radiation protection and the safety of radiation sources.
“By targeting graduates and equivalent professionals, it lays a robust foundation for participants to navigate radiation and nuclear fields,” Keter said.
“As we celebrate this graduation today, we do so at a crucial juncture. African countries and their regulatory bodies are now collaborating closely to strengthen the region’s regulatory infrastructure. The growing peaceful utilization of radiation and nuclear across sectors like health, agriculture, energy and research underscores the importance of building our capacity to uphold safety at all times and mitigate potential risks.”
Prof Walter Oyawa, the CEO of the National Commission for Science and Technology, KNRA deputy director Isaac Mundia, course coordinator Nadir Hashim together with Kenya University senior management represented by Prof Michael Gicheru, Executive dean in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, graced the graduation.
“It’s good that matters of technology are now getting traction, starting with the establishment of the presidential advisory council on science and technology, and two weeks ago President William Ruto appointed a special envoy on technology for the first time,” Prof Oyawa.
Prof Gicheru said the university would consider suggestions to domesticate the course and offer it as a diploma programme.
“If that becomes the case, then the university will decide the parameters, including entry requirements,” Prof Gicheru said.
Keter said that all over the world, countries were keen on the peaceful application of nuclear and radiation, saying the benefits lie in adept technology adoption and transfer together with effective regulation that ensures the protection of lives, environment and property.
“KNRA continues to work with all stakeholders here and across the region. As a regulator, we are leaving nothing to chance even as we look forward to pursuing our ambitions nuclear programme,” Keter added.
Kenya got the green light to host the course after a multi-agency team of nuclear experts visited the country in August last year and ascertained its preparedness in terms of facilities, laboratories and resource persons.
IAEA, an affiliate of the UN, runs several other capacity-building programmes, including an internet reactor lab that enables students from Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia and South Africa to get online access to the facilities of a research reactor in Morocco for nuclear education and training.
“We expect Kenya to host the next course from October 2025. This year, it's Ghana’s turn,” Keter, who was accompanied by co-course director Isaac Mundia, said.