Government trains 349 Kenyans in oil exploration

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri addresses teachers at a Nakuru hotel during the launch of annual Murang's County Secondary Schools Heads Conference on April 25, 2017. PHOTO BY KENNEDY GACHUHI

The Government has trained 349 Kenyans in oil exploration over the past four years, according Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri.

In a speech read on his behalf by Fisheries Principal Secretary Japheth Ntiba Micheni at a conference in Kakamega, the CS said the training cost Sh480 million.

He said those trained were drawn from various Government agencies.

Kiunjuri said those trained will help in development of gas and oil exploration in Turkana and along the Great Rift Valley.

By the end of 2015, a total of 74 oil exploration wells had been drilled.

"Another 17 new exploration blocks were created increasing the number to 46 from 36. Some 36 blocks have been licensed to 18 international companies and this will streamline economic growth through creation of more jobs," said Kiunjuri.

He also said talks were at an advanced stage with the Norwegian government to develop a five-year technical assistance and capacity building programme to help Kenya in developing and managing its oil and gas sector by the end of 2017.

The CS said a total of 450km of 20 inch-diameter oil pipe line from Mombasa to Nairobi is under construction with 265km already completed.

He said another 120km of 10-inch diameter pipeline, from Sinendet in Nakuru to Kisumu, is also complete.

Another 354km 20-inch diameter pipeline line from Eldoret-Tororo-Kampala to Kigali, which will be transporting refined petroleum products, will also be constructed.