NAIROBI, Kenya – Luo professionals have thrown their weight behind the proposed nuclear power plant planned for Siaya County, distancing themselves from a group of elders who recently rejected the project over safety and environmental concerns.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Ramogi Professional Caucus (RPC) said it supports the government’s plan to introduce nuclear power as part of Kenya’s long-term energy strategy, arguing that the project could play a critical role in driving industrialisation, job creation and economic transformation.
The caucus aligned its position with President William Ruto’s push to expand the country’s energy capacity, noting that the Head of State has repeatedly emphasised the need to generate an additional 10,000 megawatts of reliable power within the next seven years.
The planned expansion would draw from geothermal, wind, solar, hydro and nuclear energy.
RPC said the push for nuclear power fits within the administration’s broader vision of transforming Kenya into a first-world economy, citing President Ruto’s recent State of the Nation Address and his remarks during the 62nd Jamhuri Day celebrations, where energy was identified as a cornerstone of agro-industrialisation, manufacturing and digital growth.
While acknowledging concerns raised by elders opposed to the project, the professionals said the views expressed do not represent the collective position of the Luo community.
“RPC respects the concerns raised, but it is important to clarify that those views are not shared by all elders or the wider Luo community,” the statement read.
The caucus went further to question the legitimacy of the group identifying itself as the “Luo Council of Elders”, calling for transparency around its membership, mandate and sources of support amid claims of possible political sponsorship.
“Given the national importance and sensitivity of nuclear energy, any group purporting to speak for the community must do so with clear legitimacy, independence and openness,” RPC said.
The professionals also argued that fears surrounding the proposed plant were premature, pointing to existing constitutional and legal safeguards governing major energy projects.
These include public participation requirements under the Constitution, environmental protections under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), and mandatory strategic and project-specific environmental impact assessments before any approvals are granted.
According to RPC, these processes ensure that environmental, health and socio-economic concerns are assessed by regulators and technical experts, while guaranteeing that host communities benefit through jobs, skills development and infrastructure.
The caucus also invoked the legacy of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga, recalling his remarks at a nuclear stakeholder engagement forum held in Bondo in June 2025.
Odinga had emphasised the need for energy diversification, adherence to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards, and inclusive community engagement in rolling out nuclear programmes.
RPC urged residents of Siaya and Kenyans at large to engage constructively with the proposal, noting that countries such as South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil have successfully adopted nuclear power to provide stable, low-carbon energy.
“Informed dialogue and evidence-based decision-making are critical to ensuring this programme benefits both current and future generations,” the caucus said.
