The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) (NSE: KEGN) was on 1st December 2025, officially named as the owner and operator of Kenya’s first nuclear power plant. This moves KenGen to the forefront in a critical shift in the national energy plans regarding improved energy security with a clean power supply.
The nuclear program started about fifteen years ago when the National Social Economic Council recommended the addition of 4,000 MW of nuclear energy to the country’s energy mix to enhance the realization of Vision 2030. The country is targeting to bring 10,000 MW of electricity online within 5 years, and this is among the steps the government is taking in the realization of the objective. Kenya currently has an 3.3GW of electricity capacity, which is insufficient to meet the growing demand in the country.
This vision resulted in the creation of NEPC, that then evolved into Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board (KNEB) and currently operates as the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA). During the past decade, Kenya has focused on developing its domestic capabilities by training hundreds of engineers and policy specialists with the help of countries such as the US, France, China, South Korea, and Russia. Some of the activities of preparation have involved developing a regulatory framework, site identification, local industry development, stakeholder and public awareness campaigns, and pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.
KenGen selected as Official Owner-perator
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi declared KenGen the official owner-operator of the proposed nuclear plant. KenGen Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Eng. Peter Njenga said the company welcomes the announcement, adding that its experience gathered from many decades of operation in hydropower, geothermal, and wind generation has prepared the company for the complex technological role.
The first nuclear power plant is envisioned to start with a capacity of about 2 GW, which could be increased up to 6 GW in the future. The proposed schedule will see the commissioning of the plant by 2034. KenGen and NuPEA are looking to use Small Modular Reactors, each with a capacity of approximately 300 MW. Some of the attractions towards SMRs include small physical bulk, modular componentry, large safety margins, and low water use which is a plus for arid parts of the country. Possible benefits related to nuclear power include seawater desalination, which increases water supply to the surrounding counties.
KenGen and NuPEA signed an MoU aimed at establishing a joint engagement framework on coordinating public participation, awareness campaigns, and institutional readiness. The country is considering various potential sites, with coastal and lakeside areas under review based on ensuring the availability of stable water. The proposed site was at one time shifted from the Indian Ocean coast to the shores of Lake Victoria following technical reviews and increasing unease among environmental groups. In addition, there are possible sites along the Coastal region in Kilifi and Kwale counties.
Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) hosted two important IAEA safety review missions, known as the Integrated Regulatory Review Service and the International Physical Protection Advisory Service, toward the end of 2025 to evaluate the country’s nuclear regulatory infrastructure and ensure it was at par with global standards for the proposed 2034 undertaking.
This nuclear pathway will support the ambition that Kenya has taken towards incorporating firm base-load power. As KenGen moves to implement this, its involvement means leveraging internal expertise to ensure that Kenya becomes a regional leader in adopting this technology.
Also read: KenGen Posts 54% Growth in Profits at 10.5B on Growth and Efficiency Gains
