The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in tackling nuclear energy-related offences as Kenya advances its nuclear power programme.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, who presided over the signing, said the agreement will enhance coordination between the two institutions through joint trainings, capacity building, and structured engagement frameworks.
The partnership is expected to improve how prosecutors and nuclear energy experts work together in identifying and addressing emerging and complex crimes linked to nuclear energy.
According to the agreement, both institutions will deepen cooperation in areas such as knowledge sharing and technical training to ensure effective enforcement and compliance as the country moves closer to adopting nuclear power as part of its long-term energy strategy.
Speaking during the signing, Nuclear Power and Energy Agency Chief Executive Officer Justus Wabuyabo lauded the collaboration, describing it as timely and necessary.
“This partnership is a critical milestone in strengthening our institutional synergy. The joint trainings will go a long way in ensuring that issues surrounding nuclear energy are well understood across agencies,” he said.
He added that the agreement will play a key role in enhancing public safety and national development by ensuring proper oversight of nuclear-related activities.
“Effective implementation of this agreement will have a meaningful impact on society by promoting safe, secure, and accountable use of nuclear energy in Kenya,” he noted.
The partnership comes at a time when Kenya is planning for a major power project in Siaya County, increasing the need for robust legal and institutional frameworks to address potential risks and ensure compliance with international standards.
The proposed Sh500 billion nuclear power plant, being spearheaded by the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency in collaboration with Kenya Electricity Generating Company, is expected to position the lakeside county as a key energy hub.
The project is scheduled for groundbreaking on March 1, 2027, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s long-term strategy to diversify its energy mix with reliable, carbon-neutral baseload power.
In its first phase, the plant is projected to generate 2,000 megawatts of electricity, with long-term potential of up to 6,000MW.
Beyond energy production, the project is expected to create about 10,000 jobs during construction and 1,200 permanent positions once operational, while driving infrastructure development and attracting investment to the region.
