Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has raised alarm over the proposed Turkana oil development, accusing President William Ruto of pushing a deal that could end up as a major national scandal if not properly scrutinised.
In a statement shared on his X account, Sifuna warned that the agreements raise serious questions about transparency, governance, and who truly benefits from Kenya’s natural resources.
His remarks come after the Senate invited Kenyans to submit written memoranda on the proposed Field Development Plan and Production Sharing Contracts for oil Blocks T6 and T7 in the South Lokichar Basin, Turkana County.
The agreements were tabled in the Senate on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in line with Article 71 of the Constitution, which requires parliamentary approval for any contract that grants rights to exploit the country’s natural resources.
Responding to the public participation notice issued by the Clerk of the Senate, J.M. Nyegenye, Sifuna urged Kenyans to pay close attention to the deal and actively take part in the review process.
He warned that the agreements could expose the country to huge losses if Parliament and the public fail to interrogate them thoroughly.
Ruto’s biggest scandal
Sifuna said Kenyans should be alert, arguing that the Turkana oil deal could turn into President Ruto’s biggest scandal yet.
He questioned the timing of key decisions around the project and raised concerns about recent changes to the ownership structure of the company set to develop the oil fields.
Sifuna also pointed to amendments made to the production sharing contracts, including changes that significantly increase the portion of oil revenues that can be used to recover costs by the investor before the government earns its share.
He warned that such provisions could leave Kenya with little benefit for years while the company recovers expenses.
The ODM Secretary-General further questioned whether the proposed agreements adequately protect the interests of Turkana residents, noting that past extractive projects in Kenya have often failed to deliver meaningful benefits to host communities despite repeated promises by successive governments.
The South Lokichar oil project has remained stalled for years due to disagreements over commercial viability, compensation for landowners, environmental concerns, and revenue-sharing arrangements between the national government, county government, and local communities.
Although the government sees the new Field Development Plan as a way to finally unlock Kenya’s oil potential, critics argue that unresolved issues could once again disadvantage Turkana residents.
President Ruto has previously defended his administration’s approach to natural resource management, insisting that Kenya’s oil, gas, and mineral wealth must translate into real benefits for local communities and the wider economy.
His government has maintained that the Turkana oil project could create jobs, attract investment, and boost national revenue if implemented successfully.
The Senate review process allows members of the public, civil society organisations, and industry experts to submit their views before lawmakers decide whether to approve or reject the agreements.
The final decision is expected to shape the future of Kenya’s petroleum sector and could trigger intense political debate as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
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