In recent years, the global conversation around nuclear energy has grown louder and more urgent, with countries across continents weighing its promises and pitfalls. Nowhere is this debate more vivid than in Kenya and the United Kingdom, where large-scale nuclear projects are shaping the energy landscape, sparking both hope and controversy.
On December 21, 2025, Professor Larry Gumbe, Chair of Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), stood before a crowd in Siaya, western Kenya, to defend the nation’s nuclear ambitions. Facing growing political opposition and public skepticism, Prof Gumbe sought to set the record straight. “Nuclear power is clean, safe, and reliable. There are currently about 500 nuclear power plants operating worldwide, providing energy across all continents. France alone gets 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy, and globally, nuclear accounts for about ten percent of electricity generation. This demonstrates that nuclear technology is a proven and well-managed source of power,” he explained, according to Kenya’s national press.
For Kenya, the journey toward nuclear energy is not new. Prof Gumbe reminded the audience that the country’s nuclear aspirations began as far back as 1965, and have been carefully guided by the International Atomic Energy Agency since Kenya joined the organization. He paid tribute to the late Raila Odinga, the engineer and statesman who championed nuclear initiatives from the 1970s and, as Prime Minister in 2012, established the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board. “The vision for nuclear power in Kenya has always been about energy security, sustainability, and providing electricity for generations to come,” Gumbe said.
Despite these assurances, opposition remains fierce, fueled in part by fear and misinformation. Prof Gumbe acknowledged these concerns but argued they often stem from myths rather than facts. “We understand that new technologies can create fear, particularly when people are not fully informed. That is why NuPEA has prioritized robust stakeholder engagement. We are working directly with elders, youth, women’s groups, professional societies, and educational institutions to ensure that communities understand the safety, benefits, and opportunities that nuclear power brings,” he said. NuPEA has held multiple forums in Siaya and participated in radio and television programs—including Radio Ramogi, Radio Nam Lolwe, Radio Mayienga, and NTV in Nairobi and Homa Bay—to reach as many people as possible.
Safety, Prof Gumbe stressed, is paramount. Kenya has identified 28 viable sites for nuclear development, with an ambitious goal to develop 6,000 megawatts of nuclear energy within this decade. This development is planned to occur at multiple locations, including the coast and areas near Lake Victoria. NuPEA is also collaborating with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega and Kisumu National Polytechnic to build research facilities and technical training programs, ensuring a skilled local workforce to manage and operate the future plants.
Kenya’s nuclear ambitions are not occurring in isolation. Prof Gumbe pointed to a global resurgence in nuclear technology, especially with the advent of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). In the United States, government-backed projects led by companies like Westinghouse, X-energy, and Kairos Power are pushing forward both large reactors and SMRs. The United Kingdom is on a similar trajectory, with Hinkley Point C under construction and plans for Sizewell C and several SMRs to further enhance energy security. “Kenya’s plans align with global trends and demonstrate our commitment to safe, modern energy solutions,” Gumbe asserted.
Across the globe, in Somerset, England, the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station is a hive of activity. According to Herald Wales, as of December 2025, about 2,500 workers from Wales are among the 14,000-strong workforce building the UK’s newest nuclear power station. The workforce is expected to peak at 15,000, with the site featuring colossal cranes—like the 250-meter-high “Big Carl,” capable of lifting 5,000 tonnes—and sprawling accommodation campuses to house contractors.
The stories of those working at Hinkley Point C paint a vivid picture of the human side of nuclear megaprojects. Lee Jones, an area health and safety lead from Neath, described the site as “like my second family,” adding, “Every day here I see feats of engineering. Each day you see the size of the site, and it still gives me a buzz. There are over 100 nationalities working on this project.” Concrete supervisor Julian Elkins, from Seven Sisters, said, “The money and the stability of the job keep me here. Being away from your kids is the worst part, but it’s for their future.”
For many, the lure of good pay and job security is balanced by the challenges of being away from home. Michael Rosser, a retired rigger, reflected, “You miss the atmosphere, the craic with the boys, but I don’t really miss the work.” Others, like Rachel Lister from Cardiff, felt a sense of purpose in contributing to such a significant project: “When you’re in Penarth and Barry you can look to Hinkley Point and see the cranes. It would be really good to see it through as well.”
Hinkley Point C’s economic impact is substantial. EDF, the French-owned company behind the project, has spent around £190 million on Welsh companies, though this figure is dwarfed by the £5.3 billion spent in the southwest of England and £6 billion in the southeast. The overall project cost has ballooned, with the latest 2024 estimate at £31–£34 billion (in 2015 money), up from £18 billion in 2016. EDF CEO Stuart Crooks pointed to civil construction delays, inflation, labor and material shortages, as well as Covid and Brexit disruptions, as key factors driving up costs.
When electricity eventually starts flowing from Hinkley Point C—expected between 2029 and 2031—consumers will help finance the project via their energy bills, thanks to a contract for difference agreed in 2016. This guarantees EDF a minimum price of £92.50 per megawatt hour for 35 years, adjusted for inflation. If market prices spike, any surplus returns to the Treasury. Despite its scale and ambition, Hinkley Point C has faced opposition from groups like Stop Hinkley, who argue that nuclear power is too costly and that renewables are a better path forward.
The UK government, however, is doubling down on nuclear. Its next project, Sizewell C in Suffolk, is set to create 10,000 jobs, with the government taking a £14.2 billion stake. A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokeswoman declared, “We are launching a golden age of nuclear because taking back control of our energy will protect family finances, boost energy security and create thousands of good, skilled jobs.”
Industry voices echo these sentiments. Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, argued, “Large nuclear stations like Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C provide huge amounts of home-grown, low-carbon electricity around the clock, which strengthens Britain’s energy security and reduces reliance on volatile international gas markets. They operate for 60–80 years and potentially longer, giving long-term stability to the energy system while supporting tens of thousands of skilled jobs and major UK supply chains.”
In both Kenya and the UK, the nuclear debate is far from settled. Proponents tout the benefits: reliable baseload electricity, job creation, and energy security. Critics warn of high costs, waste management challenges, and the need for transparent, inclusive dialogue. As Kenya prepares to build its first reactors and the UK pushes forward with Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, the world will be watching closely to see whether nuclear power can truly deliver on its promises—or whether the doubts and delays will prove too much to overcome.
