Trucking of oil resumes next week — Munyes

What you need to know:

  • A month ago, Turkana residents blocked the trucking of oil to Mombasa in protest over rising insecurity and lack of jobs.
  • Kenya’s early oil export plan which involves transportation of crude by road to Mombasa started in May but faced opposition weeks later.

The government will resume trucking crude oil from Turkana to Mombasa next week after a 45-day impasse following the suspension of the operation due to protests.

Trucking will continue on August 22 according to Petroleum and Mining Cabinet Secretary John Munyes.

Turkana residents blocked the trucking of more oil to Mombasa in protest over rising insecurity and lack of jobs a month ago.

Now government has gazetted the Turkana Grievances Management Committee comprised of Turkana County government, local MPs and Tullow Oil to look into the issues raised by the locals.

“We lost Sh400 million during that period and we learnt valuable lessons. Also, the Inter-ministerial Committee formed will deal with matters that may arise from the local taskforce,” Mr Munyes announced on Monday.

Kenya’s early oil export plan which involves transportation of crude by road to Mombasa started in May but faced opposition weeks later.

British explorer Tullow which sunk billions of shillings in the enterprise had called for a speedy resolution to the stalemate

Tullow Kenya managing director Martin Mbogo said they strive to their target of transporting 2,000 barrels a day by next year compared to the current 600.