Supporting Development of Kenya's Nuclear Security Infrastructure via Capacity Building in Forensics Research

Full text: 1. Introduction. Due to the distinctive characteristics of the nuclear fuel cycle, there are special nuclear security educational requirements for developing a national nuclear security infrastructure to realize a proliferation-free nuclear power program. This paper recognizes and discusses the low levels of nuclear security educational capacity at Kenyan universities and identifies appropriate strategies for remedying the situation, chief of which is the current effort at the University of Nairobi supporting developing educational capacity in nuclear security via research in nuclear forensics. Nuclear forensics is an essential component of the national nuclear security infrastructure because it helps to address the threat of nuclear material being found out of regulatory control. Due to the lack of staff and experimental facilities, it is not currently feasible to launch a full-fledged educational program in nuclear security at any of Kenya's universities. Nuclear forensics research is discussed as a means to both foster scientific innovations in nuclear security and to support non-proliferation by enabling the identification of high-confidence nuclear forensic signatures. Because nuclear forensics draws upon analytical techniques and interpretation of distinguishing characteristics of nuclear and radioactive materials to understand its origin and intending authorized use, the research line in nuclear forensics at Nairobi involves photonics-based spectral imaging and microanalytical method developments in support of nuclear security. Among other techniques laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) spectral/imaging and confocal laser Raman spectromicroscopy are exploited to elucidate comprehensively the isotopic, molecular and elemental composition, as well as microstructure of nuclear materials (each step in the fuel cycle creates and/or modifies these nuclear forensic (NF) signatures). Some results will be reported and the link between nuclear forensics and nuclear security examined in detail in the context of the results. Finally, the paper reports how experience gained so far suggests that progress in educational capacity building in nuclear security may be realized by stronger involvement of stakeholders in the nuclear fuel cycle, demonstrating the great significance of nuclear forensics in nuclear security infrastructure development of a nation.