The government has sought foreign partners to support Kenya’s nuclear sector, including the regulatory functions.
Almost thirty countries in Africa are currently considering nuclear power with Kenya hoping to have its first nuclear power plant in 2037.
Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) officials on Friday held talks with South Korea nuclear experts with an aim of reaching a cooperation agreement.
The KNRA team led by board chairman Omondi Anyanga and Director General James Keter said Kenya’s successful nuclear power debut will largely depend on funds, adequate regulatory controls and development of manpower.
“Korea has supported Kenya in many ways. We look forward to productive engagements in many respects. There’s a lot to learn from South Korea’s journey with nuclear,” Mr. Keter told the press after the meeting.
Mr. Anyanga said KNRA will work close with international partners, research agencies, academic and the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency to prepare adequately for what he termed as Kenya’s nuclear take-off.
Among the delegation visiting was Dr. Bum-Jin, who has previously made a substantial input towards Rwanda’s nuclear pursuit. He said that part of their interest was to understand the level Kenya had reached in building it regulatory infrastructure.
“Protection of the public and the environment is key in any nuclear undertaking,” he stated.
KNRA Director for licensing Shadrack Kiti said consultations were ongoing with an aim of Kenya joining relevant treaties such as the convention on assistance in the case of nuclear accident and radiological emergency and joint convention on safety of spent fuel management and the safety of radioactive waste management of 1997.
“In our regulatory development journey, KNRA is seeking financial support on viable financing options towards regulation development since such a process is capital intensive. We are seeking a memorandum of understanding with KAIST, Hyung Universities and the Korean Nuclear Society for training purposes,” Mr. Kiti said.
Experts raised concerns about the continent’s readiness to harness nuclear and get it right. The meeting comes barely a month after Kenya kicked off the post-graduate training on nuclear and radiation safety.
