Controversy continues to rage in Kenya over plans to build a nuclear power plant in a coastal location practically adjacent to one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, Watamu.The project, recently approved by the international nuclear energy agency NUPEA, would involve the construction of the plant in the village of Uyombo, in Matsangoni, in the Mida Creek ecosystem, practically opposite the tourist facilities in Watamu. Following environmental activists and local fishermen, the government opposition has now joined the chorus of voices against the project. Two of its leaders, Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper party and former vice president Rigathi Gachagua, have threatened to take legal action to stop what they call an operation that “would devastate the environment and ruin the tourism sector, which is the main source of income for the local population.” The project is worth 500 billion Kenyan shillings, approximately 3.5 billion euros. Musyoka announced that the opposition will take legal action to challenge the project. “Kilifi and Malindi live off tourism. A nuclear power plant here would ruin the hospitality industry,” said the politician.The plant is expected to have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW) and construction is scheduled to begin in 2027. However, in order for the plant to become operational in 2033, Kenya will not only have to purchase expensive reactors, but also upgrade its electricity transmission network to provide reliable off-site power to the nuclear power plant.A joint study by the NuPEA and SGS consortium states that the current electricity grid will require significant upgrading due to the safety requirements imposed on nuclear power plants and the large size of such facilities. According to Ministry data, hydroelectric power currently accounts for 35 percent of Kenya's production, with the rest coming from geothermal, wind, and diesel plants.