Kenya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, representing a step toward the development of a planned 2,000-megawatt (MW) nuclear power plant.
The President of Kenya, William Ruto made the announcement at the International Conference on Nuclear Energy (ICoNE 2026) in Nairobi.
The initiative is intended to support concluding a formal 123 Agreement within the next three months. A 123 Agreement is required under U.S. law for the transfer of nuclear technology, materials, or expertise.
“Kenya and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation. Kenya is now on track to conclude the 1-2-3 agreement within the next three months,” the source read in part.
He added “We have built an ecosystem that is robust enough to support the development of nuclear energy as part of the development of all the other sources of energy, from geothermal, through hydro, to solar, to wind.
President Ruto stated that the partnership forms part of plans to diversify the country’s energy mix and support long-term electricity demand.
Kenya enters formal negotiations
The latest MOU builds on earlier engagements between Kenya and the United States on civil nuclear cooperation. Discussions between both countries date back several years, focusing on regulatory frameworks, workforce development, and infrastructure readiness.
Speaking during the event, a Kenyan government representative said the country is ready to move into the next phase of its nuclear programme.
The proposed 2,000MW nuclear plant has been part of Kenya’s long-term energy plan since the early 2010s, with authorities targeting its deployment to support industrial growth and rising electricity demand.
However, the signing of a 123 Agreement remains a key requirement before any construction or technology transfer can begin under U.S. law.
Geothermal strength and existing capacity
Kenya’s push into nuclear energy comes as the country maintains a strong position in renewable energy, particularly in Geothermal energy.
The government noted that skills from geothermal power development could apply to nuclear energy projects.
“We are going to build on the capacity already existing in Kenya to be able to drive our progress into nuclear energy,” he said.
Kenya is currently one of the largest producers of geothermal energy globally, with the resource contributing significantly to its national grid alongside hydro, wind, and solar.
Meanwhile, officials said the integration of nuclear power is intended to complement, not replace, existing energy sources.
Looking Ahead
Kenya’s nuclear power programme has been under development for over a decade, with support from international partners including the International Atomic Energy Agency.
During that period, the country has worked to develop the regulatory systems, technical capacity, and institutional structures needed for potential nuclear energy deployment.
The proposed 2,000 MW nuclear project carries an estimated cost of approximately KSh 500 billion ($3.8 billion).
Kenya’s current electricity system has a high share of renewable sources, including a substantial contribution from geothermal generation.
Nuclear power is presented by its advocates as one option for further diversifying the energy mix and adding on-demand capacity to the grid
