Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has issued a stark warning to the national government and oil investors, demanding absolute transparency and inclusive community engagement as the Lokichar oil project enters a new, critical phase.

In the arid, resource-rich plains of Turkana, the promise of “black gold” has long been a source of both hope and deep-seated frustration. Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai’s recent intervention, calling for a radical overhaul in how local stakeholders are involved in the development of the Lokichar oil fields, highlights a growing tension between national interests and the rights of the host community. With Gulf Energy assuming the role of the new operator, the governor has made it clear that business as usual is no longer acceptable.

The stakes are high. The Lokichar basin, discovered in 2012, holds an estimated 560 million barrels of crude oil, yet the local population—having endured years of drought, insecurity, and economic marginalization—has seen little tangible improvement in their livelihoods. As the project transitions toward commercial production, the Governor is demanding that the county government be treated as an equal partner, not a bystander, in land acquisition and resource management processes.

The Struggle for Benefit Sharing

Central to the Governor’s demands is the issue of benefit-sharing and the handling of land rights. Following reports of a controversial "cost-recovery" agreement that could see up to 85% of crude output allocated to the investor, local leaders are sounding the alarm. This shift has galvanized community groups and the county assembly to press for a more equitable deal that prioritizes local development—specifically in water infrastructure, security, and employment—before export-led profits are prioritized.

The Governor’s insistence on a formal role for the county government in the National Land Commission’s verification exercises is a strategic move to ensure that the "Project-Affected Persons" are not sidelined. Without clear, legally binding commitments to the community, there is a palpable fear that the oil wealth will flow outward, leaving the people of Turkana with nothing but the environmental costs of extraction.

• Project Context: Lokichar oil fields, now operated by Gulf Energy.
• Governor’s Core Demand: Full inclusion of the County Government in land acquisition and benefit-sharing negotiations.
• Local Concerns: Lack of water infrastructure, ongoing banditry, and the "85% cost recovery" clause.
• Status: Over 568 individuals currently undergoing verification as project-affected persons.

Water, Security, and Sovereignty

Beyond the spreadsheets of oil royalties, the daily reality for residents of Lokichar remains dire. The region lacks reliable piped water, forcing communities to rely on expensive and insufficient bowser-delivered supplies. Governor Lomorukai has explicitly tied the success of the oil project to the provision of basic utilities, arguing that the developer, Gulf Energy, has a social and moral obligation to transform the settlements surrounding the oil fields.

Moreover, the security situation remains a major bottleneck. Bandits and regional conflicts continue to threaten the movement of goods and personnel, necessitating costly security escorts that stifle potential economic growth. The Governor’s position is clear: the oil fields cannot be an island of development in a sea of neglect. If the project is to succeed, it must be integrated into the broader development agenda of Turkana County, ensuring that the infrastructure built to support extraction also serves the needs of the pastoralist and farming communities.

As the government and Gulf Energy move forward, the spotlight is firmly on whether they will adopt a model of inclusive, sustainable development or repeat the mistakes of previous decades. For the people of Turkana, this is not merely about oil; it is about finally securing a seat at the table where their future is being decided.