Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) CEO Justus Wabuyabo (centre) with other officials during the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in New York on May 1, 2026/COURTESY 

‎Kenya has reaffirmed its ambition to join the ranks of nuclear-powered nations, unveiling a clear roadmap for the development of its first nuclear power plant, with commissioning targeted for 2034.

‎The announcement was made during the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in New York, where Kenyan officials outlined plans to integrate nuclear energy into the country’s long-term power strategy.

‎Leading the Kenyan delegation, Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) CEO Justus Wabuyabo said the country is firmly on course to diversify its energy mix to meet growing industrial and economic demands.

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‎In a major policy statement, Wabuyabo confirmed that the government has finalised plans to construct a 3,000-megawatt nuclear power plant in Siaya County, with groundbreaking scheduled for 2027.

‎“Kenya is committed to the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Our mission is clear: we are preparing to break ground in Siaya by 2027, to inject the first nuclear-generated electron into our national grid by 2034,” he told delegates.

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‎The multi-billion-shilling project is expected to play a central role in supporting Kenya’s development blueprint, including Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, by providing reliable baseload power for manufacturing and sustainable growth.

‎The New York announcement builds on momentum generated earlier this year during the International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, hosted in Nairobi in March 2026. 

‎The event, which brought together global nuclear experts, marked a significant milestone for Kenya’s nuclear ambitions.

‎During the conference, President William Ruto underscored the country’s readiness to adopt nuclear energy, stating that the shift was no longer a question of “if” but “when.” 

‎He pointed to strengthened regulatory and safety frameworks developed in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

‎“The success of the ICONE conference showed the world that Kenya is a serious player. We have the political will and the international partnerships necessary to see the Siaya project to completion,” Wabuyabo added.

‎Officials said the selection of Siaya County followed extensive technical assessments, including studies on seismic stability and the availability of sufficient water resources for reactor cooling.

‎Although the NPT conference primarily focuses on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, Kenya used the forum to advocate for the treaty’s “third pillar,” which supports access to nuclear technology for peaceful applications such as energy, medicine, and agriculture.

‎As the 2027 groundbreaking date approaches, the government plans to ramp up public participation efforts, particularly in the Lake Victoria region, while also investing in training Kenyan engineers abroad to build the technical expertise required for the project.

‎If successfully implemented, the Siaya nuclear plant is expected to mark a transformative step in Kenya’s energy sector, positioning the country as a regional leader in advanced and sustainable power generation.