Kenya not ripe for nuclear energy

The sensational announcement by Energy and Petroleum Principal Secretary Joseph Njoroge that the Government has set in motion elaborate plans to establish a nuclear plant in Kenya is irrational and misplaced.

It is not in doubt that Kenya’s population is increasing and the demand for energy will subsequently increase in the future. This, therefore, calls for the Government to think outside the box and diversify into other alternative sources of energy.

However, the decision by the Government to prefer nuclear energy is questionable and highly suspicious because Kenya does not have appropriate security and trained manpower to establish a nuclear plant.

The Government must simply concentrate and focus on other cheaper and clean sources of energy like wind, solar, geothermal that don’t pose any threat to our environment, lives and national security.

In fact, such sensitive and controversial issues need the active participation, education and sensitisation of Kenyans because we can’t rely on a few technocrats and politicians.

Even if it means conducting a national referendum on this very sensitive issue that touches on Kenyans’ lives, so be it.