The National Assembly of Kenya will enact additional regulations and enhance budgetary allocations to advance the country’s nuclear energy programme, Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has said.

Hon. Wetang’ula spoke on Wednesday during a meeting with the leadership of Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) at the Parliament Buildings.

The discussions focused on strengthening the existing legal framework, including the National Nuclear Regulatory Act, and on increasing resources through the relevant House Committee to support government agencies implementing nuclear energy technology.

“Nuclear technology has the potential to deliver economic benefits, support climate change mitigation, and advance the Government Development Agenda,” said the Speaker.

He noted that stakeholders highlighted milestones achieved at various active sites, including in Siaya County and Kilifi County, as well as ongoing plans to establish Kenya’s first nuclear power plant.

Hon. Wetang’ula welcomed the completion of a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA), terming it a critical step in the development of the National Nuclear Power Programme (NPP).

Dr. Wetang’ula emphasised that Parliament remains the custodian of public interest and the primary architect of the project’s legal foundation through legislation, funding approvals, and ratification of treaties.

“As the first regulator for electricity in the country, I am a champion for the programme and offer my legislative and funding support to take the nuclear programme forward and ensure completion of the ongoing Phase II process,” he said, adding that parliamentary backing signals to the global community that Kenya is ready to join the ranks of nuclear-powered nations.

According to NuPEA, Kenya has already established the National Nuclear Regulatory Authority and undertaken capacity-building initiatives. Clear sites for nuclear power plants have been identified, along with extensive national stakeholder engagement.

KenGen has been designated as the owner-operator of Kenya’s first nuclear power plant and will be responsible for technology selection, bid preparation and evaluation, contract negotiations, project management, and applying for construction and operational licences.

NuPEA chairperson Eng. Prof Lawrence Gumbe called for adequate funding, warning that Phase II requires substantial capital for technical studies and that any delay could escalate overall project costs.

KenGen chairperson Alfred Agoi Masadia described the National Assembly as the primary advocate of the Kenyan people and urged Members of the relevant committees to champion the programme through constituency-level stakeholder engagements to demystify nuclear energy.

He said direct leadership from MPs and policymakers would help counter misinformation and secure social licence, particularly in coastal candidate sites.

NUPEA Chief Executive Officer Justus Wabuyabo appealed to the House to pass a resolution designating the Nuclear Power Programme as a Project of Strategic National Importance.

Such a move, he said, would facilitate fast-tracking of land acquisition, grid integration and inter-ministerial approvals, while signaling to the international community that Kenya is a stable and committed partner.

Also present at the meeting were Energy Committee Chairperson David Gikaria, KenGen CEO and Managing Director Eng. Peter Njenga, NuPEA CEO Justus Wabuyabo, NuPEA Board Director Dr Anne Michura, and KenGen Board Director Umuro Wario.