A significant clash erupted between residents of Matsangoni, Kilifi County, and police on Tuesday as locals opposed the construction of a nuclear plant in their area. The confrontation led to property damage and injuries during running battles at Uyombo Girls Secondary School.
The conflict began when staff from the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) arrived to clear bushes and erect a meteorological data mast in preparation for the plant’s groundbreaking ceremony. Protesters, chanting anti-NuPEA slogans, resisted the agency’s activities, leading to violent clashes with the police.
Police reported that at least nine officers were injured, two people were arrested, two vehicles were damaged, and school property, including solar panels, was vandalized. The demonstrators also tore down part of the school’s fence, citing inadequate public participation in the decision-making process for the nuclear plant construction.
“We opposed this thing, but they are here to go on with their plans. We will not accept,” said a local resident.
Approximately 300 protesters gathered, prompting police to use live bullets, tear gas canisters, and blanks to disperse the crowd. Tensions remained high on Wednesday and Thursday, with local administrators calling for meetings to discuss the situation.
The Sh500 billion nuclear power plant project at Uyombo has drawn mixed reactions from the community. While some residents support the initiative, believing it will address Kenya’s increasing energy needs and promote industrial development, others fear potential dangers, including accidents, radiation, corruption, and escalating costs. They also express concerns over the lack of specialized technicians in the country.
Environmentalists warn of severe health risks, citing studies that link proximity to nuclear power plants with higher rates of leukemia and cancer in children. NuPEA’s Director for Publicity and Advocacy, Basett Buyukah, assured that a thorough feasibility study and environmental impact assessment would precede the construction.
Uyombo, a village adjacent to the beach in Matsangoni, has been selected to host Kenya’s first nuclear reactor, with the project receiving approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2021. The proposed Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is expected to generate 1,000 megawatts by 2034, aiming to meet Kenya’s rising energy demands and drive industrial growth. However, the project remains controversial, with deep divisions within the local community.
