Mr. Brian Ochieng Audi
Green Spread Initiative, Kenya
Abstract Title: The Nuclear Energy Frontier: Environmental Justice, Climate Change, and Community Risk in Siaya County, Kenya
Biography: Brian Audi is a research and climate justice advocate with over eight years of experience in community-centered environmental research. I am the founder of the Green Spread Initiative, working at the intersection of health, climate change, and human rights across rural Kenya. I have worked with organizations such as Terre des hommes , Plan International Kenya, AGA Khan University and Kenya Medical Research Institute to address the environmental challenges facing underserved populations.
Research Interest: As Kenya intensifies efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce carbon emissions, the proposed establishment of a nuclear energy plant along the shores of Lake Victoria in Siaya County Kenya marks a significant policy shift. While nuclear energy is often promoted as a low-carbon solution to climate change, this development raises complex environmental justice concerns for local communities in Siaya. This abstract critically examines the socio-environmental implications of the planned facility, particularly in the context of historical marginalization, ecological vulnerability, and public participation deficits. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this research interrogates whether the nuclear project aligns with just climate action principles. Field insights and policy reviews reveal that while the plant could contribute to Kenya's mitigation efforts, the siting process has lacked transparent consultation with the local population. Communities around Lake Victoria are already grappling with climate-induced stressors such as erratic rainfall, declining fish stocks, and flooding. The introduction of a high-risk energy facility exacerbates fears of displacement, contamination of water sources, and the erosion of indigenous livelihoods. This study argues that for nuclear energy deployment to be climate-just, the government must integrate local knowledge, conduct comprehensive environmental impact assessments, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing. It concludes that the future of energy in Kenya must not only be green but also just where development decisions are informed by both climate imperatives and the voices of affected communities.