Turkana MPs set conditions for Kenya – Uganda pipeline

Five  MPs from Turkana County now want the government to put in place proper infrastructure including laws and development projects in the area before entering any oil export deal with any company in the world.

The MPs, led by Turkana North MP James Lomenen, said the law must be put in place explaining how the communities will benefit from the oil production in Turkana.

The MPs said the oil discovery in the area must assure the residents of development projects to improve the livelihoods of the Turkana people.

The MPs want the pipeline to Uganda to  follow the northern corridors and not  any other route as supported by President Yoweri Museveni.

They also accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of  rushing to enter deals with the neighbouring Uganda without consulting them.

This comes just a few days after a second oil basin was discovered in Turkana.

Four weeks ago, Uganda appeared to do a u-turn after what had been touted as successful discussions about a joint pipeline in August last year, and now Kenya has quickly swung into action.

Monday morning, President Yoweri Museveni jetted into the country for bilateral talks on a route for a pipeline to transport the two countries’ oil.

Sources privy to the meeting say Uganda’s hesitation to a joint pipeline with Kenya hinged on challenges they believed Kenya faced with land acquisition as well as security, which they asked Kenya to guarantee, should the joint route be adopted.

Kenya has been pushing for a joint pipeline with Uganda in an effort of reducing the costs associated with construction of the pipeline as well as transportation costs.