Orengo Defends Sh500bn Nuclear Deal as Siaya Aims for Energy Revolution

Siaya Governor James Orengo has backed a proposed Sh500 billion nuclear power plant in the county, positioning it as a major step in Kenya’s energy and industrial development plans.

Governor Orengo announced the project ahead of the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference scheduled for mid-October. He described nuclear energy as key to meeting Kenya’s growing electricity needs, noting that the current national output of around 3,000 megawatts falls short of supporting large-scale industrialisation. 

According to Orengo, the facility would offer a stable, clean and scalable source of power capable of transforming both Siaya’s and the country’s economic prospects.

The plant was initially considered for the Coast and Turkana regions, but technical and environmental assessments later identified Siaya as a more suitable location. 

Orengo said that a recent delegation to Vienna, including site visits to nuclear facilities in Hungary, played a critical role in demonstrating the viability and safety of nuclear power in Kenya. The findings from these visits reportedly influenced the decision to shift the project to Siaya.

Public concerns have emerged around the risks of radiation and long-term safety. In response, Orengo has emphasised the strict safety standards that govern modern nuclear plants, as well as the regulatory role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

He also pointed out that nuclear energy has a comparatively strong safety record, referencing dam failures in hydropower that have caused major fatalities. The governor further outlined a range of local benefits expected from the project.

These include lower electricity costs, job creation, improved infrastructure and new investment in key sectors such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing. He said the nuclear plant would be a cornerstone of Siaya’s broader economic diversification strategy.

The upcoming investment forum will highlight these opportunities, with a focus on sectors such as rice, cotton, avocado, and coffee farming, alongside gold mining and shipbuilding. Orengo’s administration aims to attract investors with a shared interest in long-term, sustainable growth.