This is a Great Day, President Uhuru Says as He Flags Off Kenya's First Crude Oil Exports

President Kenyatta has officially flagged off the first consignment of crude oil destined for export from Kenya.

“A great day for Kenya,” the President wrote in the visitor’s book on arrival at Ngamia in the Turkana heartland.

Speaking when he flagged off trucks loaded with crude oil at Ngamia 8, Turkana County on Sunday, Kenyatta said the country is scheduled to rip off massive benefits from the oil project.

“What we stand to gain from the production and exportation of oil and gas cannot be understated. The Early Oil Pilot scheme will complement our existing development projects under the big four agenda,” said Kenyatta, who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto.

“It will create scalable local employment as well as business opportunities in the hospitality and security sectors just as much as it will enhance vocational training opportunities for the youth who will participate in the oil and gas sector.”

Kenya will initially use the Early Oil Pilot Scheme to transport the product before adopting Full Field Development phase.

"The discovery of oil and gas in Uganda and Tanzania and the ongoing explorations in Ethiopia and DRC has seen Kenya find itself in the company of other resourceful African nations."

“In the regional level, this project will help establish Kenya as a crude oil exporter as well as provide valuable information for future exploration and development,” the president added.

However, the Head of State issued a word of caution to Turkana residents and the nation as a whole over oil discovery, which has left other countries in Africa and beyond at war.

“We can lose all these benefits if we fail to effectively manage our resources. Negative competition for oil has seen two peaceful nations go to war. It has seen brothers take up arms against each other as mothers bury their children with no hope for the future. The economies of countries that have failed to manage their resources have also suffered the ripple effect of hungry and poor citizens,” he said.

“I call upon our leaders to ensure peace and stability in the region and to ensure that any disagreements that may arise are resolved in an amicable and sustainable manner.”

Under the Early Oil Pilot Scheme 2,000 barrels of oil will be transported to Mombasa by road per day for eventual shipment.