LOKICHAR, TURKANA — Leaders and residents in Turkana County are demanding total transparency and a fair share of revenues from Gulf Energy’s oil project, warning that host communities will not tolerate being sidelined as the region edges closer to commercial production.
During a series of public engagements held on Tuesday, participants called on the national government and Gulf Energy to publish all underlying agreements and implement strict accountability frameworks before any oil extraction begins.
The call comes after years of anticipation following the discovery of oil in the basin. Lokichar Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Samuel Lomodo emphasized that local patience is wearing thin.
“The people of Turkana deserve to know how this resource will benefit them,” Lomodo said. “Transparency and accountability must come before oil production starts.”
A major point of contention for residents is the proposed production-sharing arrangement. Community members expressed alarm that high cost-recovery provisions favoring the developer could significantly delay financial returns to both the county government and local populations. They urged policymakers to establish stronger safeguards to prevent the region’s wealth from being drained without local benefit.
Echoing these concerns, community representative Philip Eyenai insisted that both the state and investor guarantee tangible, long-term returns for the region.
“Oil should transform the lives of the people living in Turkana,” Eyenai said. “The agreements must protect community interests and ensure fair sharing of the benefits.”
Residents also stressed the need for legally binding commitments covering revenue allocation, job creation, and local infrastructure development rather than non-binding promises.
“Our fear is that oil will leave Turkana while poverty remains,” noted resident Robert Lochio. “We want clear commitments that guarantee lasting benefits for the people.”
As preparations for commercial operations move forward, the message from Lokichar remains unequivocal: openness, active community participation, and an equitable distribution of proceeds must be established as non-negotiable prerequisites before the pumps start running.
