Protests have erupted in Kilifi County, Kenya, as dozens of residents and activists rally against a proposed nuclear power plant, set to be the country’s first. The coastal region, famous for its picturesque beaches and eco-tourism, is also home to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, a vital biodiversity hotspot that is on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage sites. The proposed plant has sparked concerns among the local population, who fear the environmental and health risks associated with nuclear energy.
Kilifi, located some 522 kilometers southeast of Nairobi, has long been known as one of Kenya’s premier tourist destinations, drawing visitors to its coral reefs, bird-watching sites, and pristine beaches. However, the announcement of a 1,000-megawatt nuclear facility in the area has generated heated opposition. On Friday, protesters, led by Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI), marched through Kilifi to the governor’s office, chanting anti-nuclear slogans and carrying placards with messages like “Sitaki nuclear,” meaning “I don’t want nuclear” in Swahili. They presented a petition demanding the cancellation of the project, citing concerns about the environmental and societal impacts.
At the heart of the opposition is the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, a unique ecological site that supports rare and endangered species, including birds that attract eco-tourists from around the world. Residents and activists argue that building a nuclear power plant near this fragile ecosystem could be devastating, potentially leading to the loss of biodiversity and damage to the local tourism industry. The reserve also plays a critical role in Kenya’s conservation efforts, making the project a lightning rod for environmental advocacy.
Fears of Environmental and Health Risks
Francis Auma, a MUHURI activist, expressed his concerns during the protest, warning of the potential fallout for both humans and wildlife. “There will be malformed children born out of this place, fish will die, and our forest Arabuko Sokoke, known to harbor birds from abroad, will be lost,” he said. Other protesters echoed these sentiments, fearing for their livelihoods in a region heavily dependent on eco-tourism and fishing.
Timothy Nyawa, a local fisherman, voiced his apprehension about the plant’s potential impact on fish populations, which sustain much of the local economy. “If they set up a nuclear plant here, the fish breeding sites will all be destroyed,” Nyawa said, underlining the deep economic fears many in the community share. The construction of the nuclear plant, scheduled to begin in 2027 and projected to cost $3.8 billion, has raised questions about its long-term effects on local industries that depend on the region’s natural resources.
A Struggle for Public Participation and Transparency
Opponents of the project also argue that there has been insufficient public consultation and transparency. Phyllis Omido, executive director of the Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action, stressed that many locals feel uninformed about the plant’s potential risks and benefits. “We host the only East African coastal forest, we host the Watamu marine park, we host the largest mangrove plantation in Kenya. We do not want nuclear energy to mess up our ecosystem,” Omido said during the rally. Her organization filed a petition in parliament last November, calling for an inquiry into the plant’s environmental and safety risks, claiming that the government had not adequately engaged with the local community.
The Kenyan Senate suspended its inquiry into the project pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by two lawyers in July. The lawsuit seeks to halt the plant’s construction, arguing that public participation was rushed and insufficient. It also raises concerns over health, environmental safety, and the management of radioactive waste, particularly in a region prone to natural disasters like floods and drought.
Despite these concerns, Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (Nupea) has assured the public that environmental protections are being considered. In response to the growing backlash, Nupea noted that construction would not begin for several years and that the project complies with national environmental laws. The agency also published an impact assessment report recommending policies to mitigate potential environmental harm, such as setting up a nuclear unit within the national environmental authority and establishing emergency response teams.
However, activists and locals remain skeptical. They argue that the risks associated with nuclear energy far outweigh the potential benefits, particularly in a region with significant ecological and economic value. Juma Sulubu, a local resident who had previously been injured by police during a protest, expressed the defiance that has come to define the anti-nuclear movement in Kilifi. “Even if you kill us, just kill us, but we do not want a nuclear power plant in our Uyombo community,” he said.
As the debate over Kenya’s nuclear future intensifies, the protests in Kilifi reflect a broader struggle over how the country balances its energy needs with the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage. For the residents of Kilifi, the fight to protect their community and environment is only just beginning.
