VIENNA, Austria — Siaya Governor James Orengo has held talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency as Kenya seeks technical support for a proposed nuclear power plant in the county.
Orengo led the Kenyan delegation in a meeting with IAEA Deputy Director General Hua Liu on the sidelines of the agency’s 70th General Conference in Vienna, Austria.
According to the governor, the discussions focused on securing technical framework support, technology transfer and safety oversight for the proposed project.
Orengo said the nuclear facility could provide clean and reliable baseload electricity while supporting economic development in Siaya and the wider region.
He said the project could also attract new infrastructure, investment and specialised skills while creating employment opportunities for residents.
“Siaya is officially at the centre of Kenya’s energy future,” Orengo said after the meeting.
The governor was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Prof Abdulrazak Shaukat and Dr Idris Salim Dokota, as well as Nuclear Power and Energy Agency Chief Executive Officer Justus Wabuyabo.
Orengo said the Siaya County Government would work with the national government and relevant agencies as Kenya advances its nuclear energy programme.
He added that public safety, environmental protection and community participation would remain central to the proposed development.
The IAEA supports countries considering nuclear power by providing technical guidance, capacity building and assistance in developing appropriate legal, regulatory and safety frameworks.
Kenya has been preparing to introduce nuclear power as part of its long-term plan to expand electricity generation and provide stable energy for industrial and domestic use.
The Nuclear Power and Energy Agency is responsible for coordinating research, planning and infrastructure development for the country’s nuclear power programme.
However, the proposed Siaya plant remains at the planning stage. Details on its exact location, construction cost, generating capacity and development schedule have not been announced.
The project would also be required to undergo regulatory approvals, environmental assessments and public participation before construction begins.
Orengo said the engagement in Vienna was aimed at ensuring that the project, if approved, meets international safety and operational standards.
The 70th IAEA General Conference brought together representatives from member states to discuss nuclear safety, security, technology and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Kenya’s engagement with the agency is expected to continue as the country develops the technical skills, institutions and regulatory systems needed to support a nuclear energy programme.
