PM says Turkana oil find not Kenya's solution

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Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said the discovery of oil in northern Kenya is not a solution to the country's problems July 26, 2012. FILE 

By  PMPS
Posted  Thursday, July 26  2012 at  11:44

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said the discovery of oil in northern Kenya is not a solution to the country's problems.

He cautioned Kenyans against abandoning other economic activities and concentrating on the oil find.

"Kenyans should not abandon the country’s traditional economic activities including agriculture, tourism, infrastructure development, finance and the vibrant Information, Communication and Telecommunication (ICT) sector in anticipation of easy money from the oil revenue," said Mr Odinga during a meeting with a delegation from the African Development Bank (ADB) in his office Thursday.

The PM said oil was only a means not a solution to Kenya’s economic challenges.

Mr Odinga said it was important to manage people’s expectations.

He emphasised that wealth from the oil will benefit all Kenyans, especially the local community.

“Of course Turkana will benefit more from the revenues which will be used to develop the region where the oil discovery was made.

“We intend to fully involve the local people in the programme," he said.

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The PM said the same principle will apply to the development of the Lamu Port where the local people will be trained to take up most of the job openings.

He said he hoped ADB would work with the Government of Kenya in building capacity for the country to prudently utilise the oil revenue.

The bank has sent six directors to Kenya to seek consensus on government approach to coordinate its resources and have a shared view in managing expectations.

A task force headed by investment secretary Esther Koimett has been formed to come up with an action plan.

It is composed of the Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources, Energy and Water and will report to a high level policy making body before end of the year.