Hours after Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi winded up his trip to Germany where he accompanied President William Ruto for an official visit, he has flown out to Austria.
In a statement on Sunday, September 15, 2024, Mudavadi confirmed his trip after landing in Vienna where he was received by various government officials in the country.
According to the CS, his four-day trip in Austria revolves around the 68th Regular Session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“Arrived in Vienna, Austria, to attend the 68th Regular Session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), taking place from September 16, 2024 to September 20, 2024,” Mudavadi’s statement read in part.
Mudavadi’s agenda
During the meeting, Mudavadi pledged to pitch Kenya’s interests in the nuclear science and technology sector. He made it clear that Kenya would push for proper use of the technology is slowly gaining prominence on the continental stage.
“I will use the opportunity to notify the delegates that Kenya remains steadfast in supporting the agency’s statutory objectives of promoting access to peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology for sustainable development, enhancing nuclear safety and security, and strengthening nuclear verification and non-proliferation efforts globally.
“It is noteworthy that Kenya has been a member state of the International Atomic Energy Agency since 1965, and currently serves on the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2022-2024 period,” Mudavadi statement added.
Arrived in Vienna, Austria, to attend the 68th Regular Session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), taking place from September 16th to 20th.
— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) September 15, 2024
I will use the opportunity to notify the delegates that Kenya remains steadfast in supporting the… pic.twitter.com/9L54xwFqY6
Nuclear plant opposition
Mudavadi’s trip comes amid fierce opposition from Uyombo residents in Matsangoni, Kilifi county over plans to build a nuclear plant in the area.
Community chairman Anthony Kingi argued that they are opposed to the project because proper public participation was not conducted.
“We asked for names of people who conducted the public participation but they refused because they know what they did,” he stated then.
Kingi said the strong opposition is to preserve the rich ecosystem that provides livelihoods for the residents.
“This is where we get our daily bread. Tourists pay us to enjoy the different flora and fauna at the Arabuko Sokoke forest and the Watamu Marine Park,” he added.
So far, the project has not kicked off due to residents’ opposition, however, Mudavadi’s trip is expected to help raise awareness of nuclear technology.
