State assures Tullow of security amid Turkana demos

What you need to know:

  • Mr Matata has said government will provide enough security to oil trucks transporting crude oil from Turkana.
  • The county commissioner said blocking of oil trucks at Kalemngorok on Wednesday was unnecessary.

Turkana County Commissioner Seif Matata has assured Tullow Oil the government will provide ample security for safe transportation of oil to Mombasa after the Kalemngorok incident.

The administrator accused local leaders and residents of political blackmail for demanding return of stolen cattle, jobs and tenders as preconditions to allow transportation of crude oil.

Speaking in his office in Lodwar, Mr Matata said Turkana County has enjoyed relative peace in the last year and security incidents have been resolved in partnership with local leaders.

The county commissioner said blocking of oil trucks at Kalemngorok on Wednesday was unnecessary.

Turkana South MP James Lomenen and his Turkana East counterpart Ali Mohamed Lokiru have agreed to meet with Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i to discuss how to end the row.

But the MPs have vowed they won’t relent in their push for security, jobs and contracts, warning Mr Matiang’i against any attempts to intimidate them.

Mr Lomenen said Mr Matiang'i seemed more focused on addressing contraband sugar than dealing with security threats in the region.