Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) CEO Justus Wabuyabo has been assigned a new role at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In an announcement made through the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the government has designated Wabuyabo as the national liaison officer to the global body.
In his new role, Wabuyabo will act as the principal advisor to the government on all aspects of the Technical Cooperation (TC) programme.
He will represent Kenya in discussions on nuclear safety, energy policy, and technological advancements.
This is while strengthening the country's ties with IAEA and promoting the responsible use of nuclear energy for development.
Wabuyabo will also serve as the key interface between the Kenyan government and the IAEA Secretariat, overseeing the planning, programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the TC programme.
His responsibilities include building a knowledge base for national development through liaison with development agencies and identifying potential areas for IAEA collaboration and donor participation.
"He will also help implement the 2023-2027 Country Programme Framework (CPF) anchored on the six priority areas of Nuclear and Radiation Safety and Security, Energy and Industry, Health and Nutrition, Food and Agriculture, Water and Environment and Industrial Application," reads the statement.
Additionally, Wabuyabo's role involve ensuring that the benefits of potential nuclear applications are known and understood by relevant sectoral units of government, the national planning entities, universities and scientific institutions, and end users.
He comes in with a wealth of expertise in management, law and regulatory affairs, complemented by a Master in Laws (LLM) from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Moi University.
He has been serving as the NuPEA CEO since July 2023.
In this role, Wabuyabo has demonstrated strong leadership skills, steering the agency towards achieving its strategic goals.
Before rising to the position, Wabuyabo was the Director of Legal and Regulatory Services and Corporation Secretary at the agency, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the agency's legal framework and regulatory compliance.
His contributions to the nuclear field include advocating for robust legal structures to support nuclear energy development and ensuring regulatory adherence.
Wabuyabo's credentials as a Certified Public Secretary of Kenya, Commissioner of Oaths, and Notary Public further underscore his comprehensive expertise in legal and regulatory matters.
He is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the East Africa Law Society (EALS), the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA).
He also holds memberships in the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS) and the Association of Professional Societies of East Africa (APSEA).
Before his tenure at NuPEA, he served as the General Manager of Corporate and Legal Services at the National Water and Harvesting Authority.
Wabuyabo will join other NLOs in the continent and the world over to champion the safe and secure application of nuclear science and technology for socio-economic development for the country, the continent and the globe.