Kilifi is one of the coastal counties in Kenya. The major economic activities in Kilifi include agriculture, tourism, and fishing.
The county produces cash crops such as cashew nuts, sisal, coconut palms, and mangoes. Staples like bananas, cassava, maize, green grams, and cowpeas are also cultivated.
In one of the remote parts of the county lies a sleepy Uyombo Village, where these economic activities are carried out on a small scale.
However, in recent years, the village has become the center of a heated debate following the announcement of plans to build Kenya’s first nuclear power plant.
The project, expected to cost a staggering Sh500 billion, has raised significant concerns among local residents, many of whom are opposed to the idea.
An aerial view of Uyombo Village reveals a breathtaking scene, with the village overlooking sandy beaches along Kenya’s coastline. Despite its beauty, Uyombo remains largely unknown to many.
The peaceful ambiance of Uyombo is set to change with the proposed construction of the nuclear plant, which is planned for completion by 2032. While the project promises to boost Kenya’s energy infrastructure, locals are fearful of its impact on their environment, livelihoods, and health.
Elvina Hamisi, a local businesswoman who runs a small eatery at the Uyombo Shopping Center, is among those deeply worried. Elvina, who at the time of our interview, was pregnant, voiced her concerns about the potential risks to her unborn child.
“We were never informed about the project. It took us completely by surprise,” she explains.
Like many others in the community, Elvina feels left out of the conversation and fears that her life and that of her child will be forever altered if the project moves forward.
Pili Joseph, another local businesswoman running an eatery not far from Elvina’s, shares similar concerns. She fears that the nuclear plant will be imposed on the community without their consent, stripping locals of their rights and opportunities.
“Many women here rely on small businesses to support their families. If the plant goes ahead, it will take away our livelihoods,” she says.
Quarry miners, who work near the proposed site, worry about losing their jobs and the only source of income they’ve depended on for years. “We’re not ready for this project,” says Dickson Kitsao, a local miner. “It will destroy the area where we work and live.”
Kazungu Mremba, a palm wine tapper with over 20 years of experience in the trade, is also apprehensive. He fears that the plant’s construction will wipe out the palm trees that are crucial to his livelihood.
“If the project goes ahead, I will lose my job and my source of income,” Mremba says.
Earlier this year, Uyombo residents held demonstrations to express their opposition to the nuclear plant. However, many locals claim that police used unnecessary force to disperse the crowds. “They didn’t listen to us. They treated us as though we were doing something wrong by protesting to voice our fears and concerns” says Pili Joseph, who participated in the protests.
A Divided Town
Visiting Uyombo Village today, one can feel the tension that permeates the air. Residents are wary of outsiders, especially those showing interest in the nuclear project.
Many have posted signs on their doors, windows, and other visible spaces, clearly stating their opposition to the planned plant.
“We don’t want this here,” says Baya Kahindi, a resident.
The project, spearheaded by the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NUPEA), is slated to begin in 2027 and is expected to take five years to complete. However, opponents argue that Kenya is ill-prepared for such an ambitious and potentially dangerous undertaking.
Environmental Concerns
Beyond the risks to health and livelihoods, environmental concerns are at the forefront of the opposition. Critics argue that Kenya lacks a comprehensive radioactive waste management policy and is not equipped to handle the long-term environmental and health risks associated with nuclear waste. “Kenya is not ready for nuclear energy,” says Tony Kingi, an environmental advocate from Uyombo. “We don’t have the infrastructure or policies in place to manage the waste.”
Kilifi County assistant energy director Wilfred Baya says that the project is yet to receive a green light from the Kilifi County government and the locals. “Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NUPEA) are yet to carry out a feasibility study for the project, after which it will sit with the county government and the local community to agree on the future of the project”, said Baya.
Furthermore, the project poses a threat to the delicate ecosystems of the region. Uyombo Beach is part of the UNESCO Biosphere, home to unique species such as dolphins and endangered sea turtles that use the beach as a breeding ground. The proposed nuclear plant is located near the Uyombo-Watamu Marine Park, the oldest marine park in Kenya—and in Africa—where many locals rely on fishing for their livelihoods.
The introduction of nuclear power in Kenya would make the country dependent on imported uranium, a fuel source that is controlled by a handful of countries, including Russia. As of now, Russia controls nearly half of the world’s enriched uranium supply, a situation that raises concerns about global energy security. Countries like the United States are already scrambling to reduce their reliance on Russian uranium due to geopolitical tensions.
Kenya’s pursuit of nuclear power also raises questions about regional security. While only two African countries—South Africa and Egypt—currently have nuclear power programs, several others, including Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, are considering nuclear energy as part of their future energy strategies.
The nuclear power plant is a symbol of Kenya’s ambition to expand its energy production, but it comes at a high cost for the people of Uyombo. As the country moves toward this new energy frontier, the voices of the locals who will be most affected must not be overlooked. Uyombo’s future is uncertain, and while some may welcome the promised economic benefits of the project, others fear the irreversible changes it will bring to their community and their environment.
For now, Uyombo remains a village at a crossroads, caught between development and preservation, and the people continue to raise their voices in opposition, hoping that their concerns will be heard before it is too late.
The construction of the nuclear plant however is not clear, after the cabinet proposed the dissolution of nine state corporations among them the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NUPEA) which is responsible for the project.
