Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA

12/06/2026

Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Professor Shaukat Abdulrazak has challenged African nuclear regulators to accelerate efforts towards building stronger, more resilient and future-ready regulatory systems as the 23rd Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA) concluded in Mombasa.

Speaking at the close of the five-day meeting, Prof. Shaukat said Africa's growing use of nuclear and radiation technologies for socio-economic development requires regulatory institutions that are robust, independent, transparent and capable of responding to rapidly evolving technological and safety challenges.

He commended FNRBA, its member states and development partners for advancing nuclear and radiological safety and security across the continent, noting that the forum has become a key platform for cooperation, peer learning and the exchange of regulatory expertise. He urged member states to move beyond dialogue and focus on implementing agreed action points, saying the success of the meeting would ultimately be measured by stronger institutions, improved regulatory performance and enhanced protection of people, property and the environment.

Prof. Shaukat also called for the development of a comprehensive strategic plan aligned with the vision of the African Union and encouraged African institutions of higher learning to expand nuclear-related training and research programmes to build the next generation of experts. He further emphasized the need for stronger stakeholder engagement, sustainable funding, knowledge management and regional collaboration to ensure regulators are well-equipped to oversee the expanding application of nuclear technologies across Africa.

The meeting brought together senior regulators, technical experts and representatives of regional and international organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) and other strategic partners, to review progress in strengthening nuclear and radiological safety and security across Africa and identify priority actions for the years ahead.

A key outcome of the meeting was the recognition of the need for stronger communication and stakeholder engagement to enhance transparency, counter misinformation and strengthen public trust in nuclear and radiation technologies. The meeting concluded with renewed commitments by member states and partner organizations to deepen regulatory cooperation, support capacity-building initiatives and advance a strong, effective and harmonized nuclear regulatory framework across Africa.

09/06/2026

Nuclear and radiation safety experts are meeting in Mombasa for a five-day forum held under the aegis of the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA).

Hosted by Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA with support from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the forum seeks to review progress made in strengthening nuclear and radiological safety and security while charting priorities for the future.

FNRBA was created to strengthen and harmonise nuclear and radiation safety and security regulatory frameworks across member states. In attendance are delegates from Kenya, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Senegal, alongside representatives of the IAEA and other development partners.

Opening the forum, FNRBA Chairman Yau Usman Idris said strong regulatory frameworks are critical to protecting people and the environment. He stressed the importance of collaboration among African regulators.

KNRA Director General James Keter, EBS, highlighted the progress African countries have made in strengthening national regulatory systems. “What we need is sustained commitment to advancing nuclear and radiation safety across the continent,” Mr Keter said.

KNRA Chairman Hon Omondi Anyanga underscored the need for greater regional cooperation and harmonised regulatory approaches, noting that the outcomes of the meeting will help shape the future of nuclear regulation in Africa.

IAEA representatives Seungyeon Son and Garshaw Wolde reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to supporting regulatory bodies. KNRA Senior Principal Nuclear Inspector Eric Ngotho is among the delegates. The meeting will conclude with a roadmap for continued collaboration between African regulatory bodies and international partners.

08/06/2026

Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is hosting a Regional Workshop on Developing a National Framework for Managing the Response to Criminal or Intentional Unauthorized Acts Involving Nuclear or Other Radioactive Material. The workshop is taking place Nairobi from 8th to 12th June 2026.

The five-day workshop aims to strengthen national and regional preparedness by familiarizing participants with the essential components of an effective national framework for responding to nuclear security events. The program is guided by the IAEA Nuclear Security Series (NSS) No. 37-G, titled "Developing a National Framework for Managing the Response to Nuclear Security Events."

Through a combination of expert-led presentations and practical tabletop exercises, participants will gain insights into coordinated response strategies, inter-agency collaboration, and decision-making processes in the face of criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material.

The workshop has convened 26 participants from 12 Sub-Saharan African countries, namely: Angola, Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Gabon, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and South Africa.

Kenya’s delegation includes representatives from key national institutions involved in security, law enforcement, and emergency response. These include the Directorate of Criminal Investigations - DCI, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), the National Police Service CBRNe Committee and the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency - Kenya.

The workshop is facilitated by a team of experts including Fei Liu from the IAEA, Khammar Mrambit of Morocco (formerly Director of Nuclear Security Division at the IAEA and Former Director General of the AMSSNuR) Isaac Mundia KNRA Director for Nuclear Security and Mr Hambali Rabiou from Niger,bringing a wealth of international and regional experience to the discussions.

Isaac Mundia speaking on behalf of the KNRA Director General, James Keter, EBS, said, “We all acknowledge the reality of the world we operate in. The peaceful application of nuclear technology and radioactive materials drives immense progress in medicine, agriculture, and industry across our region. However, this progress comes with a profound responsibility. The threat of nuclear or other radioactive material falling into the wrong hands—whether through theft, sabotage, or illicit trafficking—is not a problem that respects an organization or national borders. A threat to one of us is truly a threat to all of us. Criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving these materials pose severe risks to public health, the environment, and our collective national security”.

This workshop underscores the continued collaboration between Kenya and the IAEA in enhancing nuclear security infrastructure and capacity building across the region.

05/06/2026

As the Regional Meeting on Radiation Safety Infrastructure in Africa concluded in Nairobi, representatives from participating Member States namely, Lesotho, Togo, Comoros, Madagascar, Burundi, Liberia and Eswatini, reflected on a productive week of dialogue, collaboration and technical exchange aimed at strengthening radiation safety across the continent.

Hosted by Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA in partnership with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the meeting brought together senior government officials, regulators and technical experts to review progress, share experiences and identify practical actions for enhancing national radiation safety infrastructure.

Throughout the week, participants discussed regulatory effectiveness, capacity building, oversight and regional cooperation, reaffirming the importance of strong radiation safety frameworks in protecting people, property and the environment while enabling the safe use of nuclear and radiation technologies.

In his closing remarks, KNRA Director General James Keter,EBS emphasized that radiation safety was a transboundary responsibility and called for stronger regulatory systems to safeguard people and the environment. He underscored the need to strengthen regulatory frameworks to ensure the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear and radiation technologies.

Garshaw Wolde, Director of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme for Africa (TCAF), urged Member States to translate plans and commitments into measurable national outcomes. He commended the spirit of cooperation and progress achieved during the week and reaffirmed the IAEA’s commitment to supporting Member States through capacity building, technical expertise, advisory services and collaborative platforms.

The meeting culminated in a technical visit to the Oloolua Radioactive Waste Management Facility, where delegates gained practical insight into Kenya’s approach to the safe management, storage and oversight of radioactive waste.

As delegates prepare to return home, the focus now shifts to implementation of commitments agreed to by individual member states.

05/06/2026

https://www.kbc.co.ke/nuclear-regulator-hosts-experts-to-advance-healthcare-safety/

Senior health officials from nine African countries are meeting in Nairobi to discuss means and ways of strengthening safety of nuclear and radiation applications in healthcare. The regional forum…

05/06/2026

https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/rift-valley/2026-06-04-africa-forum-seeks-to-deepen-nuclear-and-radiation-use-in-healthcare

The regional forum, which opened on Thursday, was attended by Public Health PS Mary Muthoni and is being hosted by the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

Kenya today reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening radiation safety and regulatory excellence during the opening of the Regional Meeting on Radiation Safety Infrastructure in Africa.

The meeting, organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in collaboration with the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), has brought together Ministers, Principal Secretaries, regulators and technical experts from seven countries across Africa to review progress, share experiences and develop action plans aimed at strengthening radiation safety infrastructure across the continent.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni Muriuki CBS highlighted Kenya’s progress in strengthening its radiation safety and nuclear regulatory framework. She cited the establishment of KNRA, enhanced inspection and enforcement systems, expanded radiation monitoring programmes, and continued investment in the training of radiation safety professionals. She also noted Kenya’s designation as a regional centre for the IAEA Postgraduate Education Course in Radiation Protection, reflecting the country’s growing role in regional capacity building.

IAEA Acting Director for Technical Cooperation in Africa, Mr. Gashaw Wolde, emphasized that raising the level of radiation safety infrastructure is essential for advancing nuclear safety and enabling the effective application of nuclear technology for development. He noted that strong infrastructure forms the foundation for the safe, secure and sustainable use of nuclear science and technology across Member States.

Ms. Hildegarde Vandenhove, Director of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety, said the IAEA remains ready to support Member States in developing and implementing country-specific action plans aligned to their priority needs, ensuring that assistance is practical, targeted and responsive to national contexts.
KNRA Board Chairman Hon. Peter Edick Omondi Anyanga welcomed delegates to Nairobi and reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strong governance, regulatory excellence and regional collaboration in radiation safety.

KNRA Director General James Keter,EBS noted that as the use of radiation technologies continues to expand across key sectors, strong regulatory oversight remains essential to ensure safety and public confidence.

The regional meeting concludes tomorrow following continued technical discussions aimed at strengthening radiation safety infrastructure and advancing shared regional priorities.
Also present were Dr. David Ngigi, Ag. Director General NACOSTI; Eng. Edwin Chesire, representing CEO Nuclear Power and Energy Agency - Kenya ; Isaac Mundia, Director Safety and Security and;Edward Mayaka, Director of Partnerships and Public Awareness.

01/06/2026

Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority - KNRA, in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is hosting delegates from across Africa in Nairobi for the Regional Meeting on Radiation Safety Infrastructure in Africa. The meeting brings together senior government officials and technical experts to review progress, share experiences, and identify priorities for strengthening radiation safety systems across the continent.

Speaking at the opening, Dr. David Ngigi, Ag. Director General of National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation and AFRA National Coordinator, emphasized that a strong radiation safety infrastructure is essential for the responsible use of nuclear technologies. He noted that regulatory and legislative frameworks must continually evolve to keep pace with technological advancements and called for greater collaboration and harmonization of regional efforts.

KNRA Director General James Keter,EBS, highlighted the role of effective regulatory oversight in ensuring the safe, secure, and responsible use of radiation technologies. He urged participants to share experiences, learn from one another, and translate discussions into practical actions that strengthen radiation safety at national and institutional levels.

IAEA representatives Merinda Volia and Programme Management Officer Felix Omonya underscored the importance of robust radiation safety systems and reaffirmed the IAEA’s commitment to supporting Member States in strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks that protect people and the environment. They also called for actionable measures to enhance national radiation safety infrastructure, emphasizing that safety must remain the foundation of all radiation technology applications.

Also in attendance are Edward Mayaka, Director of Partnerships and Public Awareness; Isaac Mundia, Director of Nuclear Security and Serah Okumu, the Director of Legal and Regulatory Services from Nuclear Power and Energy Agency - Kenya.

01/06/2026

Happy Madaraka Day