The Executive has assured Parliament that transport infrastructure will not hinder crude oil production from the South Lokichar Basin in Turkana County, as it defended the Field Development Plan (FDP) and associated Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for Blocks T6 and T7.

Appearing before the Joint Parliamentary Committees on Energy, Roads and Transport, Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said Kenya is adequately prepared to evacuate oil once production begins, insisting that the country is “not starting from zero.”

The Senate has approved a list of Senators to serve on the Senate Business Committee during the Fifth Session, with lawmakers vowing to continue holding Governors across the country to account.

The Motion, tabled by Majority Leader Senator Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) and seconded by Minority Leader Senator Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi), was supported by Members who urged the Committee to prioritise issues affecting the welfare of ordinary Kenyans, particularly devolution.

Oil and gas experts have urged Parliament to amend the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the government and Gulf Energy E&P B.V over the Turkana oil project to require an independent audit of revenues, warning that the current framework exposes the State to opacity and inflated costs.

The experts proposed that the independent auditor incorporate representatives from the Office of the Auditor-General and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to enhance transparency and accountability.