Bill raises hope for oil-rich Turkana

The climb down by the national government to allow Turkana County to keep 10 per cent of revenue derived from the sale of crude oil from the area is a welcome development to a protracted conflict.

From this development, Turkana County, one of the most marginalised parts of our country, will benefit enormously when the country begins to export crude drilled from the region. According to proposals in the Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Bill, which went through its first reading in the National Assembly this week, MPs from the area will be required to approve contracts between the national government and oil companies.