Turkana reaches deal with Gov’t over oil revenue

Turkana leaders have now reached an agreement with the government on revenue share on oil exports revenue.

The leaders agreed that  75 per cent of the revenue will go to the national government, 20 per cent to the host county and 5 per cent to the local communities.

Speaking during the announcement, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the production of oil from the Turkana oilfields will now start without any hindrance.

“We now have an understanding that can put Kenya on the map of oil exporting countries. We will intensify our exploration efforts not just in Turkana but in the rest of the country now that we have a legal instrument that can help guide how oil and gas will be handled in our republic,” said the President

The President, who was joined by his deputy William Ruto and leaders from Turkana lauded the move for a quick resolution to the outstanding issues.

On his part, Governor Nanok moved to assure the government that the people of Turkana are now fully in support of the exploration and production of oil after the disagreements were resolved.

Nanok further added that the Council of Governors, which he chairs, is also satisfied in how the issue was resolved.

“The impediment that the Turkana people were concerned with and even the council of Governors raised in its petition to Parliament has now been discussed and resolved,” said the governor.

Turkana is now expected to fast-track the transportation of oil by road as well as the construction of the oil pipeline to Lamu Port.