You won’t lose your land, Tullow tells locals
A worker at Ngamia 3 oil exploration site in Nakukulas Village, Turkana South Sub-County on July 13. 2014. Tullow Kenya will soon start oil exploration at Block 12A in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties. FILE PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI |
What you need to know:
- Company officials said access to land belonging to locals would only be temporary.
- Last month, the oil company donated a mobile clinic valued at Sh14 million to Baringo County Government.
Tullow Kenya has assured residents of Baringo and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties they will not lose their land when the company starts oil exploration.
The company’s Social Performance Manager Robbert Gerrits and Environmental manager Alex Mutiso, while briefing the Press on the state of the project in Eldoret, said access to land belonging to locals would only be temporary.
Mr Gerrits also announced that the company had set aside Sh400 million to implement development projects in areas where they will be carrying out oil exploration.
“The projects we are giving priority to include education, access to clean water and health,” he said.
MOBILE CLINICS
Last month, the oil company donated a mobile clinic valued at Sh14 million to Baringo County Government through the First Lady’s Beyond Zero campaign. Elgeyo Marakwet will also get a similar clinic.
“Everything we will undertake will be in accordance with the relevant laws. We will consult with relevant government agencies, county leadership and as well as local communities,” added Mr Gerrits.
“Whenever possible, goods and services would be sourced from local businesses. Locals would also be given priority in filling job vacancies.”
The company has already concluded stakeholder engagement meetings in the two counties ahead of the implementation of the environmental and social impact assessment. Drilling is set for January 2015.
PROTECTED AREAS
The mandatory seismic surveys carried out in the area in February 2014 have been concluded. Tullow Kenya identified the more than 7,000-square-kilometre Block 12A in Kerio Valley belt which runs across the two counties as a potential area for oil exploration and drilling.
Mr Mutiso said the planned exploration would not affect wildlife at Rimoi and Kamnarok game reserves, where the project extends to.
“We have a policy, which does not allow us to directly drill in protected areas,” he said.
“In such cases, we employ directional drilling technology to avoid interfering with wildlife migratory routes and natural habitats,” added Mr Mutiso.
Residents of Kerio Valley fear they will not benefit much if oil is found because land in the area is still owned communally.
They have threatened to go to court to block the oil exploration if the government fails to give them individual title deeds.
