Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA

Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA and the U.S National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of International Nuclear Security are holding a five-day workshop and cooperative engagement in Nairobi. The workshop is intended to strengthen the regulator's capabilities in it's mandate to provide effective nuclear security oversight.
Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA Director for Nuclear Security, Protection & Resource Centre Isaac Mundia made an opening presentation on the Authority’s regulatory functions, its capacity and future plans in National nuclear security coordination. He stated that the forum would boost the country’s institutional and regulatory capacity to harness nuclear security.
The importance of maintaining structural, operational and cultural independence by the regulator in order to maintain objectivity while carrying out it's mandate was highlighted. The experts facilitating the workshop are Ms. Anne Mensah from Nuclear Regulatory Authority - Ghana, Madalina Man and Amir Abdmishani from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and, Dmitriy Nikonov from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Ms. Anne Mensah shared Ghana's experience and insights gained in the process. In attendance from KNRA are Director for Compliance John Opar, Director Partnerships and Public Awareness Edward Mayaka, Licensing deputy director Michael Atogo, nuclear inspectors and officials from several departments.
The workshop brings together officials from Nuclear Power and Energy Agency - Kenya, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and other national stakeholders involved in Nuclear Security implementation such as law enforcement and officials from the intelligence service. The forum started today and ends on September 6th, 2024.

Multi-agency teams meet in Nairobi to discuss nuclear security The country hopes to have its first nuclear power plant in 2035.

Kenya, US convene forum to bolster nuclear security Kenya and the United States have convened a five-day forum in Nairobi to explore ways of bolstering nuclear security.

As curtains fall on the 2024 US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Nairobi, the role of regulatory agencies featured prominently at the forum.
Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA Director General James Keter said for newcomer countries to successful harness nuclear, regulators must be empowered to protect lives, property and the environment.
Speaking today during a panel discussion on ‘Clean, secure, and responsible nuclear regime,’ Mr Keter, however, described safety as a shared responsibility. He said KNRA was committed to working closely with Nuclear Power and Energy Agency - Kenya, other State agencies and external stakeholders.

Speakers at the panel included Jac Goodman of the US National Nuclear Security Administration, Dr Nii Kwashie from Ghana Nuclear Regulatory Authority and South Africa National Nuclear Regulator CEO Ditebogo Kgomo. The summit is the first Pan-African event organized by the US in Kenya focused on the future of nuclear power on the continent.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-08-29-nuclear-agency-experts-call-for-mentorships-to-close-gender-gap-in-sciences/

Nuclear agency experts call for mentorships to close gender gap in sciences Women make up only 21.4 per cent of STEM professionals

US Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins chaired a session at the 2024 US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Nairobi today in which top Kenyan women in technical fields bonded and shared their experiences.

Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA employees Sarah Thande and Josephine Wakuyu attended the forum, offering reflections on the demanding nature of their work. The two nuclear inspectors called for more programmes to inspire young women and girls to take up Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.

Other speakers were Dr Winnie Ndubai, Strategy Director at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), Grace Ateka of Kenya Bureau of Standards, Dr Elizabeth Itotia from Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, KenGen’s Florence Kamanja and security expert Altrin Obiero. The summit ends on Friday.

Senior officials of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - NRC(USNRC) today visited the Central Radioactive Waste Management Facility (CRWPF) in Oloolua, Kajiado County.

Led by Commissioner David Wright, the team was taken through operations of the facility, run by the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA as an interim storage and processing facility for radioactive waste.

KNRA Senior Principal Nuclear Inspector Eric Mutinda and Director of Partnerships Edward Mayaka led the tour. The US team has been in Kenya since Monday. KNRA and USNRC will next month sign an MoU to deepen their cooperation.

Kenya bets big on nuclear as US-Africa energy talks kick-off Kenya will in September sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States that is expected to firmly set Kenya up on a path to developing nuclear energy for electricity production

Energy summit begins in Nairobi as US, Kenya eye MoU The summit is expected to come up with ‘a Nairobi declaration’ on the way forward in harnessing nuclear energy.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-08-27-kenya-and-us-nuclear-regulators-in-talks-as-key-energy-summit-starts/

Kenya and US nuclear regulators in talks as key energy summit starts MoU is geared towards advancing the safe and secure use of nuclear technology

Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA Board Chairman Hon. Edick Anyanga and Director General James Keter today met a delegation from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - NRC led by Commissioner David Wright.

The meeting took place at the sidelines of the U.S.-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES). The talks centered on collaboration between Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - NRC in areas of technical expertise and management of stakeholder engagement.

The talks were held as a percussor to the signing of an MoU between the two agencies. Also in attendance was Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA's Corporation Secretary Beth Mushi and the corporate communications team.

Kenya is committed to working with other African countries in seeking excellence in the adoption of nuclear energy. Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA made the assurance at the UA-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit that kicked off in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA Director General James Keter met with, among others, the CEO of South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator Ditebogo Kgomo, and pledged to deepen collaborations. The ongoing summit is the first-ever Pan-African event organized by the US in Kenya focused on the future of nuclear power on the continent.

The 2024 US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES) commenced today in Nairobi bringing together nuclear energy experts from Kenya, the US, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and representatives from several African countries.

The Summit is spearheaded by Nuclear Power and Energy Agency - Kenya under Kenya's Ministry of Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy. The summit is focused on strengthening partnerships & collaborations at local, regional & international levels as well as capacity building to ensure the safe and efficient use of nuclear.

A delegation from Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA led by Chairman Hon. Edick Anyanga to the Summit, included Board members, DG James Keter, Director Partnership and Public Awareness Edward Mayaka, Corporation Secretary Beth Mushi and Deputy Director Licensing Michael Atogo.

https://youtu.be/RfioNpbjBEg?si=xdm05Z9-1N5l8Kug

KNRA asserts that it seeks excellence in nuclear safety through external partnerships The Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority says the county is seeking external partnerships in seeking excellence in nuclear safety. Speaking ahead of next week’...

Regulator hosts team, highlights Kenya’s nuclear progress Many African nations are considering nuclear energy as part of their strategies to increase electricity supply while reducing carbon emissions.

Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA officials today held talks with a team from the Paris-based OECD Nuclear Energy Agency(NEA) focused on possible areas of collaboration.

Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA board chairman Hon Omondi Anyanga and Director General James Keter highlighted milestones in Kenya’s nuclear journey. “Indeed, Kenya is at a pivotal point, and we look forward to working with NEA in the course of our journey,” Mr Keter said.

William Magwood, the NEA Director General who was accompanied by Ursula Diffu and Tamara Yankovich, said they were keen on skills expansion based on what he termed the ‘common journey’ effort. The NEA team will grace the US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Nairobi next week.

Countdown to USANES 2024!!!

We're just days away from the 2nd U.S -Africa Nuclear Energy Summit!! From 27th to 30th August, join us at the Mövenpick Hotel and Residences in Nairobi, for insightful discussions on Africa’s industrial readiness, nuclear financing, and the vital role of women and youth in the energy sector.
It's going to be an impactful event, bringing together key stakeholders from across the continent.

Stay tuned for updates and highlights!

A workshop in Nairobi attended by Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA employees and facilitated by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts ended today, with a renewed pledge to enhance regulatory oversight.

The forum, which began on Monday, focused on the development of an Integrated Management System (IMS) for KNRA. IAEA resource persons Gabriel Soare, Sherif Bakr and Mihai Murafa said an IMS will lead to better coordination, and further align KNRA work with IAEA standards.

KNRA Director of Corporate Services Patrick Ataro, Director Licensing and Standards Shadrack Kiti, Compliance Director John Opar, Deputy Director of Finance Anthony Nzau, Deputy Director of Licensing Michael Atogo, Senior Principal Nuclear Inspector Eric Mutinda, HR Officer Constance Metto, Nuclear inspectors, department heads and other officers attended. The workshop culminated in a roadmap to have an IMS in place in a year.

Experts from the Office of Radiological Security (ORS) Project Team of the United States, today visited Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA Central Radioactive Waste Processing Facility (CPWRF) to assess the status of Physical Security upgrades at the facility. The team led by Joel Koppennaal was received by Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA Senior Principal Nuclear Inspector Mr. Eric Ngotho. ORS works to enhance the security of radioactive sources by assisting in implementing a multi-layer system of access control, surveillance and barriers.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-08-12-nuclear-regulator-kicks-off-plans-to-integrate-its-work/

Nuclear regulator kicks off plans to integrate its work KNRA Director General Keter affirmed agency’s dedication to collaborating with stakeholder

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts are leading a workshop in Nairobi to discuss operational reforms at the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA. The Authority has kicked off plans to develop an Integrated Management System (IMS).

Director for Licensing and Standard Shadrack Kiti said by integrating its work, the regulator was keen on efficiency as Kenya increasingly looks towards nuclear to power its growth. “Once in place, an IMS will lead to efficiency. Instead of working in silos, we will lessen bureaucracy and discourage duplication,” Mr Kiti said.

The IAEA experts are Gabriel Soare, Sherif Bakr and Mihai Murafa. KNRA Director for Corporate Services Patrick Ataro, Compliance director John Opar, Finance deputy director Anthony Nzau, Licensing deputy director Michael Atogo, nuclear inspectors and department heads are attending. The forum started today and ends on August 16, 2024.

https://nation.africa/kenya/news/state-rallies-support-for-goods-control-bill-4718182

State rallies support for goods control Bill The Bill will be subjected to public participation for 21 days beginning August 13, 2024.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-08-07-state-moots-new-trade-law-to-mitigate-security-threats/

State moots new trade law to mitigate security threats Goods targeted by the proposed law have a nuclear, chemical and biological nature

Ministry of Interior and National Administrationand the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRAtoday held a workshop in Nairobi to sensitise the private sector on the Strategic Goods Control Bill 2024. The Bill, whose drafting stems from the Cabinet memo of March 10, 2015, aims to address security concerns arising from trade in strategic goods. It will be subjected to public participation from August 13, 2024.

Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the enactment of the Bill into law will be a milestone in the promotion of safety and in fulfillment of Kenya’s obligations under the UN Security Council Resolution 1540.

The Bill is being polished by the Strategic Trade Control Committee co-chaired by Senior Deputy Secretary at Interior, Mercy Mwasaru, and KNRA Director General James Keter. “This marks the climax of the concerted efforts of stakeholders towards making trade safe,” said Mr Keter.

Kenya Private Sector Alliance chairman Jaswinder Singh and KNRA Director for Partnerships Edward Mayaka addressed the forum. Officials from the Treasury, Attorney General’s office, Government Chemist, KEMRI, KRA, State departments of ICT, Trade and Crop Development, and the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (Nacosti) attended.

We must balance progress and responsibility in nuclear dream As the nation grapples with escalating energy demands, nuclear power offers a viable path to meet these requirements while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-08-01-nuclear-experts-address-stakeholders-allay-safety-fears/

Nuclear experts address stakeholders, allay safety fears Experts say nuclear is one of the safest sources of energy

Nuclear will be a big win for economy, says agency Experts have allayed fears over the safety of nuclear technology, saying Kenya stands to benefit immensely from its nascent nuclear programme.

Our notice on new and/or renewal applications for licenses, disposal of decommissioned or unused smoke detectors and registration of X-ray scanners.

Our directors, Edward Mayaka (Partnerships and Public Awareness) and Isaac Waweru (Nuclear Security), will discuss the all-important subject of ‘Environmental and social safeguards in nuclear’ during the Environment Institute of Kenya (EIK) thought leadership webinar series on August 1, 2024 at 2pm. See poster for details, and register for this and other discussions on climate change and the energy transition.