Kwale residents, along with local activists, have joined forces with their Kilifi counterparts to oppose the proposed nuclear power plant project in the coastal region.
Grassroots Voices Program Manager, Fakii Omar, revealed that Kwale is one of the counties earmarked for the controversial project.
According to Omar, the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) identified both Kilifi and Kwale in its Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment Report (SESA) as potential sites for the plant.
Omar expressed concerns that with Kilifi residents having strongly rejected the project, the government might now shift its focus to Kwale instead.
He criticized the nuclear power plant project for its lack of transparency, raising concerns that local communities might be misled into accepting it.
Omar warned that the potential consequences could be disastrous, as evidenced by the catastrophic effects of similar projects around the world.
Kombani Senior Village chairman Mohammed Mwamkoba speaks to the media at Kombani in Matuga sub-county on Wednesday, October 9, 2024
“There are hidden agendas surrounding the project. It lacks sufficient public awareness and fails to provide a clear plan for safety management and waste disposal,” he said.
He stressed that the issues raise serious doubts about the project’s transparency and its potential risks to the community.
He spoke during a sensitization forum on the effects of the Nuclear plant at Kombani Social Hall in Matuga sub-county.
The proposed Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is expected to generate 1,000 megawatts by 2034with a budget of Ksh 500 billion, aimed at meeting Kenya’s growing energy demands and driving industrial development.
Omar said that coastal activists are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that local communities are fully informed and equipped with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions, should the project be introduced in Kwale or any other coastal counties.
Kombani Senior Village Chairman, Mohammed Mwamkoba, firmly stated their opposition to the nuclear power plant project, urging the government not to consider bringing it to Kwale.
He said that, beyond the environmental impact, the project would lead to displacement of people and disrupt local livelihoods.
Mwamkoba added that they are already aware of the harmful effects of nuclear plants and do not need to be convinced that the project would benefit them.
He said that they are not willing to risk the lives of current and future generations due to greed.
Mwamkoba urged the government to prioritize the well-being of the people over profit, rejecting any project that could jeopardize their safety and livelihoods.
“Agreeing to this project will not only affect us but also our entire bloodline, which we are not prepared to sacrifice,” he said.
Grassroots Voices Program Manager Fakii Omar speaks in an interview at Kombani in Matuga sub-county on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
A youth, Abdallah Mwashungu, acknowledged the need for employment opportunities but stressed that they are not willing to risk their lives for the project.
He pointed out that the proposed nuclear power plant would pose long-term environmental and health risks, endangering future generations.
Mwashungu cautioned residents not to be swayed by money, warning that some might be bribed to betray their community.
He reaffirmed his strong opposition to the project, vowing to continue rejecting it not only in Kwale but across all coastal counties.
He noted that if a neighboring county was affected by the project, the rest would likely face the same consequences due to the proximity and intermarriages between the communities.
Mwashungu called on other locals to be vigilant and seek proper answers for any projects brought to them.
Waa Maweni vice chairlady Mwanajuma Chungwa warned leaders against insisting communities to accept harmful projects.
She said there are so many development projects that the government can concentrate on and not necessarily nuclear power plant.
Chungwa said they will stand and oppose the project when it is brought to them.
Last month Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro reaffirmed his opposition to the proposed nuclear power plant at Uyombo village in Matsangoni.
Mung’aro said that the project poses significant risks to both the health of the people and the environment, not just in Kilifi, but beyond.
He cited the devastation caused by similar nuclear power projects in other countries and expressed a firm stance that Kilifi should not be subjected to the same fate.
Experts warn that the establishment of a nuclear power plant poses significant risks to the environment, public health, and the socio-economic stability of the community.
Uranium, the primary fuel used in nuclear reactors, is highly toxic and associated with long-term health risks such as cancer and genetic mutations.
The experts caution that accidental releases of radioactive materials could result in severe environmental contamination, causing irreversible ecological damage and long-lasting health effects on the local population.
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