A Kenyan community activist opposing a proposed nuclear energy project in western Kenya has been arrested, sparking concerns among civil society groups over alleged intimidation of public participation efforts.
James Lawi Guya, a community organizer and anti-nuclear campaigner, was arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Bondo, Siaya County, according to the Friends of Siaya Anti-Nuclear Plant (FSANP).
The advocacy group says Guya was detained without clear charges and remained in custody without an Occurrence Book (O.B) number or a formal charge sheet. FSANP is demanding his immediate release, arguing that the arrest is linked to peaceful community advocacy against the proposed Siaya Nuclear Energy Project.
The incident comes shortly after the reported detention of 17 other residents who were allegedly arrested in connection with protests against the same project.
The proposed nuclear facility is planned for Central Sakwa Ward, Bondo Sub-county, near the environmentally sensitive Lake Victoria Basin, one of Africa’s largest freshwater ecosystems.
FSANP says it has formally requested key project documents from the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), including environmental impact assessments, safety reports, seismic studies, resettlement plans, and records of public consultations.
The request was submitted under Kenya’s constitutional right to access information, with the group demanding greater transparency before any decisions are made regarding the project.
Kenya’s Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) has acknowledged the request and reminded NuPEA of its obligation to provide a response in accordance with access-to-information laws.
Community representatives say residents are not opposed to development but want meaningful consultation and access to information on potential environmental and safety impacts.
“A project of this scale on the shores of Lake Victoria cannot move forward through secrecy. Communities have a right to participate and to understand the risks and benefits,” said Otieno Ombok, a representative of the Sulwe Community-Based Organization.
The FSANP coalition includes local community organizations, women’s groups, governance advocates, and civil society actors calling for accountability and transparency in Kenya’s nuclear energy plans.
The arrest has drawn attention to broader global debates around energy development, environmental protection, and the rights of communities affected by major infrastructure projects.
