NAIROBI, March 25 (Xinhua) -- A three-day International Conference on Nuclear Energy (ICoNE) kicked off in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Wednesday with participants calling for legislation to ensure its safety.
The ICoNE 2026 brought together African governments, regulators, technical experts, academia, development partners and global nuclear institutions to explore how nuclear energy can drive Africa's sustainable development and energy security.
Kenyan President William Ruto said Kenya will enact comprehensive legislation and adhere to the highest global standards of nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, as it builds a regulatory framework that inspires both domestic confidence and international partnership.
The Kenyan leader said this will help the country achieve its energy generation expansion plan from the current 3,300 MW to the ambitious 10,000 MW target, noting that 3,000 MW of the 10,000 MW will come from nuclear energy.
He said construction of a 2,000 MW nuclear power plant in Siaya County in western Kenya will begin in 2027, with commissioning of the project expected in 2034.
Ruto said the development of a nuclear power program brings significant investment in infrastructure, creates jobs from highly skilled engineers and technicians to support services, and facilitates the transfer of advanced technology, stimulating growth across multiple sectors of the economy.
"During the peak construction phase, the nuclear project will generate about 5,000 to 12,000 jobs, ranging from manual labour to highly specialised engineering roles," he said.
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) CEO Justus Wabuyabo said NuPEA will work in close collaboration with other agencies to deliver the first nuclear power plant in the country.
