Kilifi, Kenya is currently at the epicenter of protests against what could become the nation's first nuclear power plant. The project, proposed to be located near the coast, has drawn significant backlash from local residents and environmentalists concerned about its potential impact on their livelihoods and the surrounding ecosystem.
Situated along Kenya's scenic Indian Ocean coastline, Kilifi County is renowned for its picturesque beaches and vibrant tourism sector, making it one of the country’s key gateways for visitors seeking sun, sand, and vibrant marine life. The region also is home to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, recognized as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site, making the stakes even higher for those opposing the planned power plant.
The nuclear power plant's construction was proposed last year with ambitions to kick-start construction by 2027, aiming for the facility to become operational by 2034. Estimates peg the project's cost at approximately 500 billion Kenyan shillings (around $3.8 billion), with plans for the plant to generate 1,000 megawatts of power. Yet for residents, this power project may come with grave consequences.
During recent protests led by the organization Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI), demonstrators took to the streets, chanting slogans like “Sitaki nuclear,” meaning “I don’t want nuclear” in Swahili. Petitioning against the construction at the provincial governor's office, they voiced their deep concerns over the nuclear project’s impacts on public health and the environment.
Francis Auma, a MUHURI activist, raised alarms during the demonstrations, asserting, “The project has many negative impacts; deformed children will be born here, fish will die, and our Arabuko Sokoke forest will be lost.” Echoing similar fears, local fisherman Timothy Nyawa stated, “If they set up a nuclear power plant here, the fish farming sites will all be destroyed.” For many fishermen like Nyawa, the coast's rich marine resources are not merely means of income but lifelines for their families.
This rising tension has not gone unnoticed, as Kanga Namaya, executive director of the Centre for Justice Governance and Environmental Action, emphasized the broader ramifications: “Kenya's eastern coastal cities rely heavily on ecotourism as their primary income source. We host the only East African coastal forest and the Watamu Marine Park. A nuclear facility could ruin our ecosystem and strip away our livelihoods.”
Despite statements from the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency asserting the project will follow environmental laws and regulations, frustrations are mounting among residents who feel inadequately informed throughout the decision-making process. Many believe the local communities were not involved enough, and concerns persist over potential radiation risks and adverse impacts on marine life.
The protests have occasionally turned violent, with previous demonstrations resulting in confrontations with law enforcement. For some, like Juma Sulubu, the struggle is more immediate. Sulubu, who suffered police brutality during earlier protests, told reporters, “Even if you kill us, just kill us, but we don’t want this nuclear power plant.” Such sentiments reflect the deep-rooted fears among the community over the potential existential threats the plant could pose.
Kenya's nuclear ambitions are framed as part of the government’s strategy to diversify its energy sources away from hydroelectric plants and fossil fuel reliance, considered necessary for future stability and growth. Yet many residents question the justifications for prioritizing nuclear over more sustainable and renewable energy sources. Some activists argue, “Five hundred billion shillings could generate more than two thousand megawatts. Why spend it on nuclear when we have renewables?”
The situation reached another level when the Senate suspended its investigation following the filing of a bipartisan lawsuit aimed at halting construction. The accusations included claims of rushed public participation meetings and failure to sufficiently engage the local population.
The protests have captured the attention of various stakeholders, illuminating significant gaps between government intentions and public acceptance. Environmentalists argue there's still much care needed to protect both the people and fragile ecosystems.
While the nuclear agency has promised rigorous safety and environmental assessments before construction, the sentiments of the local communities indicate skepticism. With many Kenyans voicing their opposition, the path forward remains under scrutiny.
Both supporters and opponents are watching closely as the conversation around nuclear power intensifies, forcing the government to confront the realities of energy planning—the need for reliable power versus the preservation of culture, environment, and heritage for Kilifi County residents.
