TURKANA: Kenya becomes the first East African country to export its oil ahead of its neighbours; Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan.
In a remarkable occasion held in Turkana East, Sunday, at Ngamia 8 oil fields, Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta led a host of local leaders to celebrate the achievement that enabled the country to join Uganda as the only two oil-producing countries in the region
“The first consignment of crude oil destined for export from Kenya, will lead to oil becoming a major contributor to the nation’s economy. It is indeed a great day for Kenya,” said President Kenyatta
The historic occasion was climaxed with flagging off four fuel tankers transporting the lucrative resource to the Kenya Petroleum Refinery tanks in the coastal town of Mombasa
This follows the truce recently signed between Turkana leaders and national government to share the oil earnings as a joint effort to grow the oil and gas sector in Kenya.
Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok emphasised the significance of setting up comprehensive law that will clearly detail the money allocated to the Turkana and the host community will be spent.
The national government of Kenya will retain 75 per cent from the proceeds while 20 per cent will go to the Turkana county government and 5 per cent dedicated to the host communities to ensure inclusive development
“Turkana is proud to be home of historic launch of the Early Oil Pilot Scheme (EOPS) by President Kenyatta as Kenya joins the list of countries exporting crude oil,” said Mr. Nanok
Reports reaching this website acknowledge that an experimental programme dubbed Early Oil Pilot Scheme has registered a success as the crude oil to be transported will be stored in designate facilities in the coast town of Mombasa as Kenya seeks viable international markets for the lucrative product.
The flagging off was also attended by UK High Commissioner to Kenya Nic Hailey and Tullow Chief Executive Paul McDade.
Oil to be transported
The producing company, Tullow Oil, targets transporting at least 2,000 barrels a day with approximately over 70,000 barrels stored in tanks in the oil fields. This is tallied with provision of each truck ferrying 156 barrels.
In addition to Ngamia 8 field, there are over eight oil fields located in various sections of Turkana East and Turkana South; this indicated a remarkable start for oil export in Kenya
