Kenya targets December start for Lake Turkana crude oil exports

President William Ruto has announced that Kenya aims to begin exporting crude oil from the Lake Turkana Basin in December. Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret, the President stated that work in the South Lokichar Basin is progressing rapidly and that the move is intended to strengthen the energy sector, attract investment, and create new opportunities.

While Kenya discovered oil in the region in 2012, the transition to commercial production has faced delays due to financing challenges and infrastructure requirements. The current plan involves transporting oil via trucks to the port of Mombasa for monthly shipments of approximately 750,000 barrels.

Gulf Energy, a Kenyan energy group, is involved in a project targeting roughly 20,000 barrels per day from South Lokichar, with an estimated value of approximately US$6.0 billion. Although the exports are expected to generate foreign currency, officials noted that these sales are not intended to reduce domestic petrol prices.