Government assures Turkanas of protection

Written By:Simon Achola,    Posted: Tue, Apr 03, 2012

Following the announcement that Kenya had struck oil in Turkana County a section of area leaders have put the government on notice with demands (File Picture) The government will move fast and enact legislation that will protect the Turkana people to avoid any exploitation as the country braces itself to reap big from its oil deposits. Energy Assistant Minister Langat Magarer said action will be taken against government officials who would use their positions for personal gains in Turkana. Magarer spoke just a day after a section of Turkana leader's petitioned government to come clean on the multibillion shillings dealings that saw parcels of land earmarked for oil exploration in Turkana County change hands. The legislators maintained that despite being the representatives of the area they've have been kept in the dark on critical issues as pertains the oil exploration and eventual finding. The leaders claim from the billions of shillings made from the now controversial dealings no single penny has trickled down to the Turkana Community. Led by Turkana Central MP, Ekwe Ethuro and his Turkana South counterpart Josephat Nanok, the leaders demanded transparency and accountability in the process of managing the oil. They also want the government to allocate resources to the area to facilitate creation of vibrant infrastructure that would lessen production cost. If their demands are not met they say they will seek legal redress and use other means to ensure their voices are heard. This is the second time in less than a week that leaders from the area are raising questions on the oil management. Last week the Turkana County Council led by Lawyer Ekuru Aukot threatened to go to court after details emerged that the parcels of community land had changed hands and were now owned by foreign companies.