Fuel is the major import product which consumes billions of
dollars in the country’s balance sheet. The discovery of oil in Turkana
has a lot of significance to economic development in this country.
Kenya is
already endowed with good infrastructure and human capital in the region, and stands a chance of becoming the regional economic superpower in East and
Central Africa.
It’s however, important to note than more often than not,
such natural resources don‘t benefit the local community who are either not
employed for lack of the required skills and qualifications to fill important
positions in drilling companies or as usual, political interference, nepotism
and tribalism alienate the locals while outsiders take the bigger share of the
benefits.
Turkana County is among the poorest counties in the country.
The government must come up with tangible policies and measures to ensure that
the discovered oil changes the economy of the region and its people.
Infrastructural development, employment and services delivery must target the
local community as a priority. From education, health, communication,
electricity, roads and jobs, the local people must be considered first.
Politicians must avoid political interference and incitement so that drilling
can start once commercial viability has been established.
The ministry of lands should also move fast to prevent land
speculation, grabbing and arbitrary allocations in the area to reduce tension
and animosity which might fuel discontentment.
In many African countries, availability of precious natural mineral
resources has been a curse rather than a blessing due to alienation and
exclusion of the local people from benefiting from them. We don’t want this oil
boom in Turkana County to be a curse to Kenya but a blessing. Greedy
capitalists must not be allowed to benefit at the expense of the people.
The Tsomnyazi Times.