Kenya Launches Oil Drilling in Turkana’s Lokichar Basin with Eyes on First Exports by December 2026
The Kenyan government has taken a major step toward commercial oil production by beginning drilling activities in the Lokichar area of Turkana County.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi led the groundbreaking ceremony for the South Lokichar Oil Project, marking what officials describe as the start of the country’s journey to full-scale oil output. The project is expected to produce around 600,000 barrels of crude oil per month once it reaches its initial operating phase. This development comes after years of delays following the original discovery of oil in the region more than a decade ago.
The initiative is being driven through a production sharing contract involving Gulf Energy, the new operator that took over the assets previously held by Tullow Oil. The government holds a significant stake in the venture, and plans call for the extracted crude to be transported to the port of Mombasa for the first shipments. According to the timeline shared by the Energy Cabinet Secretary, these initial exports could be ready as early as December 2026. The project is part of a broader field development plan that aims to unlock the estimated 560 million barrels of recoverable oil resources in the South Lokichar basin.
Local residents in Turkana have expressed both hope and caution as work begins. Community leaders have highlighted the need for clear benefits such as job opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and support for local businesses. At the same time, they have called for careful handling of environmental concerns to avoid problems experienced during earlier exploration phases. The government has assured stakeholders that measures will be put in place to ensure the project supports the county’s development while protecting the livelihoods of people in the area.
This renewed push into oil production arrives at a time when global energy markets are facing various pressures. For Kenya, successful commercial output could bring important economic gains, including increased government revenue, foreign exchange earnings, and potential growth in related industries. Officials have emphasised that the coming months will focus on steady progress in drilling and infrastructure setup to meet the December 2026 target for the first oil shipments. The project is being closely watched as a potential game-changer for the country’s energy sector and overall economy.
