Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary (CS) Opiyo Wandayi has established a 35-member technical, commercial, and legal working committee to oversee Kenya’s journey toward first oil exports.
In a notice published in the Kenya Gazette on August 22, CS Wandayi outlined the committee’s mandate, which will focus on achieving Full Field Development in the Tertiary Rift Basin, including the Lokichar Basin, and developing a crude oil export route. The government is targeting 2026 as the year when commercial oil production and exports will begin, subject to the approval of a Field Development Plan (FDP) by the Cabinet and Parliament.
Dubbed the First Oil Technical, Commercial and Legal Working Committee, the newly formed body will play a central role in shaping Kenya’s oil and gas future. While the tenure of the committee has not been disclosed, its functions are broad and pivotal.
The committee will spearhead negotiations of the First Oil Technical and Commercial agreements between the government and contractors, ensuring Kenya secures favorable terms. It will also conduct research and consultations, including with government-appointed advisors, before finalizing agreements.
Beyond negotiations, the committee is tasked with advising the government on enabling policies, statutory and regulatory frameworks, and drafting institutional guidelines for oil exploration, development, and production. It will approve a roadmap for the various phases of First Oil Development and oversee implementation.
To ensure smooth project execution, the committee will also address land access concerns by developing a framework that guarantees secure, long-term access to land required for oil operations. Additionally, it will be required to submit quarterly reports on progress to the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary.
CS Wandayi emphasized that the committee will establish its own secretariat responsible for preparing reports and documenting proceedings. “The Committee shall execute its mandate in consultation with the Principal Secretary and shall be responsible to the Cabinet Secretary,” he said.
This development marks a significant step in Kenya’s ambition to commercialize its oil discoveries, aligning with Vision 2030 goals of transforming the energy sector into a driver of economic growth.
