Kenya’s Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) is preparing to rule on a dispute over access to information concerning the proposed Siaya nuclear power plant. The commission is handling two separate cases while stressing that it is neutral on whether the nuclear project should proceed. The concerns raised by residents cover access to information, public participation, land acquisition, compensation, environmental safeguards, nuclear safety and emergency preparedness.
The first case was filed by the Friends of Siaya Anti-Nuclear Plant Interim Coordinating Committee (FSANP) against the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA). The group had requested information including site-selection documents, technical and feasibility studies, environmental and social assessments, land and resettlement plans, safety and radioactive-waste arrangements, financing, procurement and public participation records. NuPEA provided some documents through an online repository, but FSANP argued that additional information remained outstanding.
Among the documents being sought are the Strategic Environmental Assessment Report, review comments from the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment, and the KenGen Resettlement and Compensation Framework. The second case involves the Western Kenya Social Justice Centres Working Group and the Our Energy, Our Voice Campaign, which sought information from the Siaya County Government. The county reportedly told the commission it did not possess correspondence, agreements, reports or studies relating to the proposed nuclear project.
Ombudsman Chairperson Charles Dulo emphasised that the allegations raised by community groups have not been established as facts and that the commission will assess the evidence before making its determination. He said the Ombudsman’s role is to ensure that public institutions act lawfully, transparently and accountably, and that citizens can exercise their rights to information, participation and fair administration. A ruling on the FSANP application was being prepared as of August 31.
Image: Ombudsman Charles Dulo, Credit: Standard