National Assembly’s Joint Committees Meet with IAEA and NuPEA on Nuclear Power Plant Plans
The National Assembly’s Committee on Energy, in a joint session with the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), met today with representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) to discuss plans for establishing a nuclear power plant along Kenya’s coast.
The meeting, held at Parliament Buildings, focused on the potential of nuclear energy to significantly boost the country’s electricity generation capacity and drive economic growth. The IAEA and NuPEA outlined their vision for the project, emphasizing the long-term benefits of nuclear power, including energy security and sustainable economic development.
During the session, the two agencies called on the lawmakers to establish a regulatory framework that aligns with international conventions to attract investors in nuclear power projects. They also assured the legislators that the necessary safety measures and international standards would be followed throughout the project’s development.
However, concerns over public perception of nuclear energy were raised by Hon. Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), Chairperson of the Energy Committee. He highlighted the need for a comprehensive public awareness campaign to address growing fears around the safety of nuclear power. “There is a lot of misinformation and fear surrounding nuclear energy,” Musyoka said. “It’s crucial that we inform the public and dispel these fears, showing that nuclear energy is safe and beneficial for the country.”
Hon. Mwengi Mutuse, Vice Chairperson of the JLAC, supported the call for increased sensitization and added that his committee would be prepared to review and ratify any treaties related to nuclear energy, as long as they prioritized the safety and well-being of the Kenyan public. “We cannot amend international treaties, but we want to ensure that they fully consider the country’s interests, particularly the safety of our citizens,” Mutuse stated.
The meeting also covered the technical expertise required to manage nuclear energy projects. NuPEA officials briefed the committee members on the ongoing Kenya Nuclear Research Reactor (KNRR) project in Konza Technopolis, which aims to drive economic development and enhance Kenya’s scientific research, healthcare, and industrial capabilities.
While the project holds promise for transforming Kenya’s energy landscape, it is clear that effective communication and legislative safeguards will be crucial in gaining public and governmental support for the nuclear energy initiative.
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