Kenya is planning to construct an Sh80 billion nuclear research reactor at Konza Technopolis to boost medical research, support industrial development and strengthen the country’s scientific innovation capacity.
The proposed facility, which will be developed through a public-private partnership (PPP), is expected to support medical applications and industrial research rather than generate electricity.
The Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) says the project is undergoing an assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to determine Kenya’s preparedness in key areas, including nuclear safety, waste management, regulatory oversight and emergency response.
Speaking to the media on Friday, October 16, 2026, Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Abdulrazak Shaukat said the reactor could enable Kenya to produce medical isotopes locally, reducing reliance on imports.
“Can you imagine if we have our own centres of producing medical isotopes, and we don’t need to import anymore?” Shaukat posed.
Medical isotopes are used in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, including cancer, making their local production a potential boost to Kenya’s healthcare and medical research sectors.
Shaukat cited the country’s cancer burden, noting that Kenya records approximately 43,000 new cancer cases annually, with about 20,000 deaths attributed to the disease.
He said the proposed reactor would strengthen Kenya’s ability to support medical research and treatment while advancing the government’s broader industrialisation agenda.
“If you only look at the medical aspect, then we are also in the trajectory of industrialising this country, so that we can be able to move to the First World status,” he said.
NuPEA Chief Executive Officer Justus Wabuyabo defended the proposed project, describing it as a long-term infrastructure investment whose benefits may not be immediately apparent.
Wabuyabo compared the research reactor to road infrastructure, arguing that strategic investments can stimulate economic activity and support the movement of goods and services over time.
“Such a reactor could be seen as an infrastructure project, like building a road. You may not see the benefit of it up front, but having a good road ensures that you have smooth movement of goods and services,” he said.
He maintained that the facility should be viewed in terms of its potential long-term contribution to research, healthcare and industrial development.
The ongoing IAEA review is expected to examine whether Kenya has the institutional capacity, regulatory framework and safety measures required to advance the proposed project.
Key areas under scrutiny include nuclear safety, radioactive waste management, emergency preparedness and the effectiveness of regulatory systems.
If implemented, the Konza nuclear research reactor would expand Kenya’s scientific research infrastructure and potentially support the local production of medical isotopes, industrial applications and advanced scientific studies.
The project marks a proposed step in Kenya’s efforts to strengthen its research capabilities and reduce dependence on imported medical technologies and specialised products.
