Kenya is exploring options on how to export crude oil from the Turkana oil fields, the President's office revealed yesterday.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's spokesman Manoah Esipisu said Kenya was exploring how best to transport the commodity from Turkana to the port.
"Our plans for the first oil extraction are on course and we are seized of the planning and implementing options on how to get our oil to the port," stated Esipisu at a news conference at State House.
The country was banking on a transnational pipeline but those plans fizzled out when Uganda pulled out of the bilateral deal, citing security concerns in northern Kenya – the proposed pipeline's route to the Lamu Port.
The Government said it will go it alone but the money for the project, in the light of a burgeoning budget deficit, appears hard to get.
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He said President Kenyatta raised the concerns when he met British exploration firm Tullow Oil Chief Executive Aidan Heavey at State House.
The Government is, however, keen on local empowerment and stressed the need to train the community to boost the region's economy.
"The President has also encouraged all oil companies to involve communities around the oil-producing areas by training them as drillers, wielders and artisans as well as working with Kenya Oil Corporations to explore programmes in petroleum studies," said Esipisu.
He disclosed that the president guaranteed the company's management of the Government's support.
From the outset, the company has been facing hurdles in getting the support of the community and at some point, it was forced to suspend its operations in Kerio Valley indefinitely, following what they termed hostility from the area residents.
Locals demanded to be given jobs and tenders, putting at risk the machinery and lives of the company's workers.
The company has been updating the public on its exploration progress as required of firms listed at the London Stock Exchange. It is also a requirement under the licence agreement with the Government of Kenya.
