Kenya is set to have its first nuclear power plant, which will be owned and operated by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen).
This means consumers and investors will enjoy more predictable tariffs, cut power interruptions, as well as a boost for the manufacturing and digital industries.
The announcement was made by Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi on December 1, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KenGen and Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA).
CS Wandayi noted that the first nuclear development will be approximately 2Gigawatts (GW), and that it will be upgraded to 6GW of nuclear capacity over time.
“This MoU will deepen public awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement, enhance institutional capabilities, and prepare the ground for a reliable low-carbon baseload option,” the CS said.
The move, according to the Energy CS, aligns with President William Ruto’s call for Kenya to add about 10GW of electricity and is part of his long-term plan to propel the nation to a first-world economy.
KenGen Managing Director Eng. Peter Njenga says KenGen’s designation as the owner-operator of nuclear facilities will leverage the company’s national footprint.
““KenGen has led Kenya’s clean-energy evolution—from hydropower to geothermal and wind. Nuclear energy is the next frontier for nations seeking stable, affordable, low-carbon baseload power. Our partnership with NuPEA signals our readiness to play a central role in shaping Kenya’s energy future, anchored in industrial growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.” Eng Njenga said.
The MoU will see KenGen and NuPEA work to create awareness and collect data on key stakeholders in the Energy sector, with KenGen contributing expertise from decades of executing large-scale infrastructure projects.