Security beefed up at oil search sites
Security takes over the camp and takes patrols inside after all the Tullow staff packed to leave the sites after a series of demonstrations by residents that paralysed all operations within all the oil sites, meanwhile Tullow oil has suspended operations for fear of staffs security. Photo\PETER WARUTUMO
What you need to know:
- Action taken following demonstrations by Turkana residents demanding jobs from Tullow Oil company
Security was on Monday beefed up at oil exploration sites in Turkana as talks between the residents and an international company started to end the suspension of operations.
Several security agents have been sent to all Tullow Oil exploration sites and camps in northern Kenya that were closed indefinitely after residents staged demonstrations at the weekend, demanding to be employed by the company. (VIDEO: Tension high as Tullow oil suspends operations)
Turkana South sub-county deputy police boss Joshua Aseto said that all employees from elsewhere working at the sites were evacuated after close to 40 planes arrived in Lokichar on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
He said: “More officers from the Administration Police, regular unit, and contracted security companies, and Kenya Police Reservists have intensified security within the camps. More police vehicles are being used to patrol areas around the sites.”
He said the sites remained calm on Sunday after the residents realised that all non-locals had fled. This averted another big demonstration that had been scheduled for the Agete site in Turkana East sub-county.
The latest update by Tullow Oil says: “We are working closely with the local communities, local government and national government so that the company can resume work on Blocks 10BB and 13T as soon as possible that was stopped as a precautionary measure.”
It continues: “The company is fully committed to utilising as many local workers and local services as possible and currently employs more than 800 people from the Turkana region out of the 1,400 people employed by Tullow’s Kenya operations.”
According to Tullow, the discussions to resolve the issues that led to the demonstrations are going on. The company assured the public that a long-term solution would be reached.
The protesters, led by Turkana South MP James Lomenen and his Turkana East counterpart Nicholas Ngokor, said they wanted the oil company to explain to them why the local residents were denied priority when it came to jobs and tenders.
The demonstrations had been planned to take seven days but ended after the non-locals were evacuated on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
