Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised concerns following the Turkana Oil development plans, as he urged the public to come forward and submit their views on the matter.

In a statement, Sifuna said Kenyans should pay attention to it, alleging that this is the biggest scandal under President William Ruto’s administration.

Sifuna noted that the company slated to produce the oil (Gulf Energy, formerly Tullow) underwent several rapid name and ownership changes within weeks, even days, a pattern lawyers say often signals efforts to obscure true ownership, especially given that the current FDP was approved by the government shortly after the final changes.

“Parliament has invited your views on the Turkana Oil FDP that we are considering currently. You should pay attention because this is Ruto’s biggest scandal yet,” Sifuna said.

Repeated Changes to the Production Contract Raise Public Interest Concerns

According to Sifuna, the original production contract has been amended several times, with the latest one happening on November 25th, 2025.

These amendments came just shortly after the company’s ownership changed when the government allowed the company to recover up to 85% of its production costs instead of the original 55%.

“On the same day, Clause 27(2)(b) was amended to expand the definition of capital expenditure to include expenditure on labour, fuel, repairs, maintenance, hauling, mobilisation and supplies, and materials relating to production, development, exploration and appraisal, and decommissioning costs. We may basically never see a coin from our oil,” he said.

Also Read: Why Oil Prices Increased on Christmas Eve

How the Current Changes Affects the Initial Bill Passed.

He added that the Senate passes the Local Content bill to ensure that oil company benefits the local economy by hiring local workers and purchasing available resources.

However, the current agreement with Gulf has been structured in a way that excludes the company from complying with this law.

“Crucially, we in the Senate passed the Local Content bill, which requires the oil company to utilize locally available resources, including labour and supplies. They have cleverly made the current agreement with the Gulf exempt from such legislation,” Sifuna added.

The Senate Invites the Public to Submit Views on Oil Development Plan

The Senate announced the invitation for the public to submit their views on the Field of Development Plan and product sharing contracts as stated in the Constitution of Kenya section of the Petroleum Act, Cap 308.

The Field Development Plan and Product Sharing Contracts for Blocks T6 and T7 in South Lokichar, Turkana County, outline the proposed commercial development of six oil discoveries in the Lokichar Basin.

Also Read: Trump Orders Total Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Tankers

The Plan and Contracts further detail infrastructure plans, environmental safeguards, community obligations, and projected national benefits.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Article 118 of the Constitution and section 31(3) of the Petroleum Act, Cap 308, the Standing Committee on Energy hereby invites members of the public to submit written memoranda on the Field Development Plan and the Product Sharing Contracts. Copies of the documents may be accessed on the Parliament website at https://www.parliament.go.ke/the-senate/committees/standing-committees/12/committee-on-energy,” read part notice.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and WhatsApp Community for instant news updates

Senate public notice inviting the public to submit views on Oil Development Plan. PHOTO/Sifuna X