The Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA) convened a Nuclear discourse at the Just Energy Transition Conference in July to reinforce the Anti-Nuclear stance in a show of support for the Uyombo community.
Joined by esteemed partners such as an International Environmental Laureate from the Goldman Environmental Prize Right Livelihood, Peace Brigades International-Kenya, Eco Defence – a Russian environmental group, and The Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute, the gathering underscored the critical need for environmental justice and transparent promotion and implementation of Kenya’s Nuclear Power Programme.
The workshop highlighted concerns regarding the lackadaisical approach to research and development, and capacity building in the energy sector.
Phyllis Omido, the 2023 Right Livelihood award winner and CJGEA Executive Director, passionately expressed dismay over the lack of meticulous adherence to international law and the constitution, asserting, “The Government has not conducted proper public participation (in Uyombo) on such a procedural issue.”
During the intense two-day workshop, CJGEA reiterated its unwavering opposition to nuclear power generation both onshore and offshore in Kenya. Omido emphasized the troubling potential risks to health, environment, and tourism in case of a nuclear spill, stressing that Kenya is embarking on a “high-risk venture” without proper legal and disaster response measures in place.
The gathering pointed out that radioactive wastes must be handled, transported, stored, and disposed of in compliance with special regulations to safeguard human health and the environment, yet it was emphasized that Kenya is not adequately prepared in this regard.
Against this backdrop, the speakers presented on the various legal responses to global environmental problems and their implications for justice. Indigenous voices, represented by Uyombo community leads, and other international experts engaged in pivotal discussions on some of the most urgent socio-economic issues integral to fair and inclusive approaches for such a project.
Vladimir Slivyak, co-chair of the Russian environmental group Eco Defence, asserted, “Nuclear power is exorbitant and only serves to perpetuate colonial slavery and dependence on western interests.” He also shed light on the lack of transparency and potential manipulation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports by some governments to serve their interests against the communities.
Francesca de Gasparis, the executive director of The Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute, expressed deep concern about the Uyombo case, while Alessandra Canova, the Right Livelihood director for the Geneva Office, contributed significantly to the discussions as well.
