CS Wandayi Appoints 35-Member Team to Oversee Kenya’s First Oil Development

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary (CS) Opiyo Wandayi has unveiled a powerful 35-member committee tasked with fast-tracking the commercial development of Kenya’s oil discoveries in Turkana County.

The committee, which was formally announced through a notice in the Kenya Gazette on August 22, will play a central role in preparing Kenya to begin exporting oil from 2026.

The discoveries in question lie within Block T6 and Block T7 in Lokichar, Turkana, both of which fall under the Tertiary Rift Basin.

This area, especially the Lokichar Basin, has long been identified as one of Kenya’s most promising oil exploration zones. With Kenya pushing to get a comprehensive Field Development Plan (FDP) approved by both the Cabinet and Parliament, the formation of this new team marks an important step toward realising commercial oil production.

The newly created body has been named the First Oil Technical, Commercial and Legal Working Committee.

According to CS Wandayi, the main objective of this committee is to deliver Full Field Development while at the same time preparing a workable crude oil export route. Interestingly, the notice did not specify how long the 35 members will serve in this role.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, in exercise of the powers conferred by the Petroleum Act, Cap. 308, and in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030, has appointed a committee to be known as the First Oil Technical, Commercial and Legal Working Committee to accelerate the commercial development of oil in Block T6 and T7,” read part of the statement.

Committee Mandate and Responsibilities

The Energy CS spelled out a wide range of responsibilities for the committee. At the top of the list is the negotiation of First Oil Technical and Commercial agreements between the government and contractors. The aim here is to secure the most favorable terms for Kenya and safeguard the country’s national interests.

Beyond negotiations, the team is expected to carry out in-depth research and consultations with both local and international advisors. These consultations will guide decision-making and ensure that the government has accurate information before finalising any major agreements related to oil development.

The committee will also be directly involved in shaping policies, laws, and regulations that govern oil and gas exploration, production, and exports. Part of this includes drafting enabling frameworks and approving a clear roadmap for the different phases of First Oil Development.

Another crucial role will be to review, negotiate, and oversee the implementation of all agreements made between the government and contractors. This will ensure accountability and alignment with Kenya’s long-term energy and economic goals.

Land Access and Reporting

The CS further directed the committee to work closely with other state agencies in designing a land access framework. This framework will secure long-term land rights and provide stability for the large-scale oil development projects in Turkana.

Land access has been a sensitive issue in past resource projects, and this committee is expected to address it in a way that balances community interests with national priorities.

To maintain transparency and track progress, the committee must submit quarterly reports on its activities and milestones to both the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary. These reports will help the government monitor developments and take corrective measures where necessary.

Additional Duties and Secretariat

Apart from the outlined roles, the committee will also carry out any additional tasks related to Full Field Development and First Oil Development as assigned by the Energy CS.

To support its work, the committee will create a secretariat composed of its own members. This secretariat will handle report preparation, record all proceedings, and ensure proper documentation of the committee’s work.

Finally, CS Wandayi emphasized that the committee will execute its duties in close consultation with the Principal Secretary and will remain fully accountable to the Cabinet Secretary.

A Key Step Toward Oil Exports in 2026

The formation of this high-level committee signals Kenya’s serious intent to finally move from oil discovery to oil production.

With the FDP awaiting approval and a clear structure now in place for negotiations, policy-making, and land access, the government hopes to overcome past delays and place Kenya firmly on the path to becoming an oil-exporting country by 2026.

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