Kenya’s parliament disbanded NuPEA on January 22, halting nuclear projects led by Phyllis Omido’s grassroots campaign. Omido has advocated for renewable energy alternatives, emphasizing environmental rights. While the decision reflects a shift in policy, she warns of potential future nuclear ambitions and calls for renewed focus on local control over energy resources.
On January 22, Kenya’s parliament officially disbanded the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), halting all nuclear power projects and eliminating its funding of one billion Kenyan shillings. This pivotal decision is attributed to the campaign led by Right Livelihood Laureate Phyllis Omido, who has opposed a proposed nuclear power plant in the Uyombo community.
For three years, Omido’s grassroots campaign has advocated for Kenya to shift from nuclear energy to renewable alternatives, highlighting citizens’ rights to a clean environment. She criticized NuPEA for inadequate environmental assessments, emphasizing the need for community involvement and consent.
Omido noted the successful change of perspective among some parliamentarians who initially supported the nuclear initiative. “At the grassroots level, we managed to change the [minds of] parliamentarians who were supporting the nuclear idea,” she stated, underscoring that key figures now oppose nuclear projects.
The disbanding of NuPEA halts nuclear project plans along the Kenyan coastline, particularly a site in Kilifi County close to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest. Omido mobilized local communities, collecting signatures and informing them about their rights concerning projects that threaten their environment.
Despite this achievement, Omido remains cautious, highlighting that Kenya’s nuclear ambitions may only be slowed rather than halted. She called for increased investment in renewable energy sources, noting the country’s potential, especially on the coast, to produce energy free from foreign control.
Attention on the anti-nuclear campaign intensified following a police crackdown on peaceful protests in May 2024, which raised concerns about violence against citizens advocating for their rights. Following this, a Right Livelihood delegation visited Uyombo in July 2024 to support the community and engage with governmental representatives, playing a role in the campaign.
Omido expressed gratitude for the assistance from the Right Livelihood and Goldman Prize Laureates, acknowledging their collective impact in disbanding NuPEA. “This is not a victory that I would have won alone… We will continue with the struggle to ensure there’s a just energy transition in Kenya,” she concluded.
The closure of NuPEA marks a significant victory for environmental activists and community rights in Kenya, as spearheaded by Phyllis Omido’s extensive campaign against nuclear energy. While the decision reflects positive changes in governmental policy influenced by grassroots activism, ongoing vigilance is necessary to ensure a focus on renewable energy and protect citizens’ rights moving forward.
Original Source: rightlivelihood.org
