Residents of Sakwa in Bondo Stage Protests Over Proposed Siaya Nuclear Plant

Residents in Sakwa, Bondo sub-county of Siaya County, took to the streets Thursday against the proposed nuclear power plant. Citizen TV captured the demonstrations as tensions rose over the project’s potential location along Lake Victoria shores.

The protests centre on fears of radiation exposure, contamination of the lake and disruption to local livelihoods. Many in the fishing-dependent communities worry about long-term health impacts on families and the wider Lake Victoria basin.

Sakwa lies within one of the eight potential sites under evaluation by the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA). The agency continues technical assessments following an earlier shift from coastal Kilifi after strong local opposition there.

President William Ruto’s administration has identified Siaya for the 1,000 to 3,000-megawatt facility. Plans call for groundbreaking in 2027 and commercial operation by 2034 at a projected cost of Sh646 billion. Proximity to Lake Victoria for cooling water remains a key factor.

Community members complain of limited engagement. Some say officials arrived with little explanation of the technology or emergency protocols. Luo elders earlier issued a formal rejection, highlighting risks to public health and the regional environment.

A petition circulating online gathers momentum. Signatories, including residents with homes overlooking the lake in areas like Utonga village, demand a halt until full disclosure and consent.

NuPEA has allocated Sh80 million in the coming financial year for further site screening and feasibility work. The budget supports narrowing down locations based on seismic safety, flood risk, population density and ecological sensitivity.

Critics from civil society groups question the need for nuclear power. Kenya already meets over 90 percent of its electricity from renewables including geothermal, hydro, wind and solar. They argue baseload requirements can be met through other means without the accident and waste disposal challenges.

Supporters, including some local leaders and Raila Odinga who endorsed the project in Bondo, point to job creation, infrastructure spin-offs and reliable power for industrial growth. They insist modern nuclear designs include robust safety features.

The demonstrations echo earlier unrest in Kilifi County. There, residents blocked data collection efforts and clashed with police over threats to fishing grounds and the Arabuko Sokoke Forest. The government eventually pivoted inland to Siaya.

In Bondo, protesters carried placards and voiced concerns during community gatherings. One resident near Liunda Beach said the project should not proceed without transparent public participation. Meetings at local schools have seen residents resolve to escalate complaints to county and national officials.

NuPEA maintains the siting process follows international standards. Further studies will examine engineering viability before final selection of a preferred and alternate site. Land acquisition targets stand at 55 percent by June 2027.

The controversy arrives as Kenya pushes to expand generation capacity. The country aims for significant industrialisation, where stable baseload power becomes critical amid variable renewable output.

For Sakwa residents, the stakes feel immediate. Fishing and small-scale farming dominate the local economy. Any perceived threat to Lake Victoria raises alarms across communities that share the water body with neighbouring countries.

Government officials have not yet issued a detailed response to Thursday’s protests. Further stakeholder forums are expected as site evaluation advances.

The coming months will test whether authorities can secure community buy-in or face sustained resistance similar to the coastal pushback.