Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has been named the organisation that will own and operate Kenya’s first nuclear power plant, placing the country’s main power producer at the centre of a major shift in the national energy mix.
The decision positions KenGen to lead Kenya into its next phase of electricity expansion as demand rises across manufacturing, technology, and industrial sectors.
The planned plant will initially have a capacity of approximately 2 GW, with the potential to expand to 6 GW over time. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the move marks a historic moment for the country.
“This marks the beginning of Kenya’s nuclear-power era,” Wandayi said.
Adding;
“Assigning KenGen the owner-operator role anchors the programme in technical capability and public trust.”
To guide the rollout, KenGen and the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that sets up a Joint Engagement Framework.
The framework outlines how the two organisations will coordinate public participation, awareness campaigns and institutional readiness as the nuclear programme advances.
A Joint Working Group will be formed to create a national communication plan, identify key stakeholders in all affected counties, run public education activities, organise technical forums, and train journalists and county officials on the fundamentals of nuclear power.
KenGen board chair Alfred Agoi said the company’s track record in geothermal, hydro, wind and solar energy gives it a strong base to manage the proposed nuclear plant.
Managing Director and CEO Peter Njenga added that nuclear energy will help provide stable, low-carbon power to support Kenya’s growth.
“This agreement is a step toward strengthening Kenya’s long-term energy security,” he said.
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