Orengo opens up on Siaya nuclear power plant rollout plans amid safety concerns
Siaya Governor James Orengo has revealed that plans are afoot to roll out the proposed nuclear power plant even as concerns abound on safety, public involvement, and technical know-how.
In an interview on a local TV station on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Orengo addressed the mounting concerns over the safety and feasibility of the plant as he admitted that progress has been slower than expected, attributing it to the complexity of the project and the need for rigorous safety protocols.
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“The amount of height gone to the ground, to the extent that we should and not with the intensity that is required. It is not an easy task. But we want to roll it off with the support of the national government, because it’s something which must be driven by both levels of government,” he explained.
The governor had earlier dismissed concerns raised by a section of opinion leaders that a nuclear power plant planned for the county could pose health risks to residents.
The county boss insisted on the important role of international oversight in ensuring nuclear safety, specifically citing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) based in Vienna, Austria.
“The International Atomic Energy Agency must be involved. They inspect all nuclear facilities, whether they are in the West or in the East, and safety and security are fundamental,” he said.
Additionally, Orengo asserted that nuclear waste management will be tackled efficiently to avoid health problems.
“The ways of handling nuclear waste are very different from how it used to be handled. They are better stored, and most of the time they do not have to be finally gotten rid of at the plant or the country where the plant is,” he said.
He added that most nuclear plants have a lifespan of up to 70 years, and the return on investment is favourable when compared to other energy sources such as hydro and geothermal.
Elsewhere, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said that the Siaya nuclear power plant aims to enhance electricity access across the country.
Siaya nuclear economic benefits
Orengo has positioned the nuclear power plant to create jobs for the people and enhance capacity building.
“It’s not that the plants need to be the ones that employ, but the plants are going to employ quite a number of people. We are creating a faculty in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University to train people with the necessary skills at the highest level and medium level, and we must revamp TVETs and VCTs for lower-level skills,” he stated.
The governor also noted a community benefit model similar to Hungary’s, where a portion of the plant’s revenue is shared with the local government and host community.
“Out of the money made out of the plant, a percentage goes to the local government, the county government in our case, and another percentage goes to the host community, those within the ward or service location,” Orengo argued.
