Kenya’s parliament has officially disbanded the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), effectively pausing the country’s nuclear energy plans. Along with dissolving the agency, legislators revoked its one-billion Kenyan shilling budget, marking a significant victory for anti-nuclear activists.
Phyllis Omido, a Right Livelihood Laureate, has led a three-year campaign advocating for renewable energy and opposing nuclear projects. Her efforts focused on protecting the constitutional right to a clean environment, particularly in Uyombo, Kilifi County. Omido criticized NuPEA for insufficient environmental assessments and mobilized the local community to reject nuclear energy development near the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, East Africa’s last coastal forest and a critical biological reserve.
Through grassroots advocacy, Omido garnered parliamentary support to abandon nuclear projects, including those near Kenya’s coast. She highlighted Kenya’s renewable energy potential, especially in coastal areas, and called for energy systems controlled by Kenyans rather than foreign entities.
While the disbanding of NuPEA represents a significant step, Omido noted that nuclear energy remains a possibility as oversight shifts to the Ministry of Energy. She emphasized continued vigilance and the need for a just transition to renewable energy.
The campaign gained global attention in 2024 when protests in Uyombo were met with police violence. International solidarity and support from advocacy groups played a crucial role in the government’s decision to dissolve the agency. Omido acknowledged this as a collective achievement, stressing the ongoing struggle for sustainable energy solutions in Kenya.