In Kenya, police break up an environmental meeting that was explaining nuclear hazards

by BRIAN OTIENO Correspondent, Coast Region 24 September 23  https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/coast/2023-09-24-police-break-up-environmental-training-on-nuclear-reactor/

Police break up environmental training on nuclear reactor

The training was to enlighten the residents on the effects of a nuclear reactor.

In Summary

• Uyombo is a village next to the beach in Matsangoni, Kilifi county and has been earmarked to host Kenya’s first nuclear reactor.
• The residents and environmental activists however remain unconvinced and still maintain there is greater risk to their health than the benefits they will get from the reactor.

Environmental activists in Kilifi county have accused the government of trying to force a dangerous project on Uyombo residents.

Uyombo is a village next to the beach in Matsangoni, Kilifi county and has been earmarked to host Kenya’s first nuclear reactor.

On Thursday, the Centre for Justice, Governance and Environment Action organized the training to enlighten the residents on the effects of a nuclear reactor on the environment and how to best protect themselves from possible harm.

However, police disrupted the training before it even started and dispersed the residents who had gathered there.

They said the meeting was illegal.

On Sunday, CJGEA executive director Phyllis Omido termed the police action “extrajudicial, punitive and abuse of power by the state officers”.

“We tried to reason with them but they refused. They kept whisking our chairs away and were determined to prevent the meeting from happening,” Omido told the Star.

She said the security and administrative agencies have been holding meetings over the same and she has been attending them.

“Why is it that when we call the meeting, it suddenly becomes illegal and suddenly there are security risks?” she posed on the phone Sunday.

However, Matsangoni police boss Kenneth Maina told the Star the activists were inciting the locals against the project.

“You know the other day we had a meeting with the PS there and it was successful. Nobody is denied the right of picketing, demonstrating and the like but these people did not get a permit or notify the police,” Maina told the Star on the phone.

He said police never deny anyone any right to do anything, but procedures must be followed.

“There was no confrontation. When the OCS arrived at the scene and asked them to disperse, they did,” Maina said.

CJGEA, Ujamaa Centre, Muslims for Human Rights and Turtle Watch are among the environmental and human rights groups opposed to the setting up of the nuclear reactor there.

There have been several meetings between Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (Nupea) officials, the residents and the local administration as part of discussions over the intended establishment of the plant.

The plant is set to be established in 2034 if all goes to plan which includes putting in place all the safety measures, according to Nupea.

The residents and environmental activists however remain unconvinced and still maintain there is greater risk to their health than the benefits they will get from the reactor.

Omido said they were shocked to learn that the area administration had quickly planned another baraza on the same day as their training and asked all residents to attend.

September 26, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Kenya, secrets,lies and civil liberties