Turkana County Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai says revenues from oil production have the potential to transform the region’s long-standing development challenges by promoting inclusive growth and meaningful community participation.
In an opinion piece published in The Standard Newspaper on 30th January, Governor Lomorukai notes that despite Turkana’s vast natural resource wealth, the county has for decades grappled with poverty, marginalisation and limited access to opportunities. He argues that devolution has begun to reverse this trend by placing decision-making power closer to local communities.
The Governor points to the near rollout of the South Lokichar Field Development Plan (FDP) as a major milestone, describing it as a turning point that could convert resource discovery into shared prosperity. He emphasises that the project goes beyond oil extraction, presenting an opportunity to stimulate employment, enterprise growth and technology transfer across the local value chain.
According to projections outlined in the FDP, Turkana County and its communities could receive approximately USD 216 million in direct allocations between 2026 and 2050 under the national revenue-sharing framework. Additional funds from taxes, levies and other fiscal inflows are expected to be invested in long-term infrastructure and human capital development.
Governor Lomorukai highlights the Turkana County Local Content Act of 2024 as a critical legal instrument designed to guarantee meaningful participation of local communities and businesses in the oil sector. He stresses that strong enforcement, transparency and accountability will be key to ensuring the promised benefits reach residents.
The Governor outlines priority areas for investment, including water access—particularly through the Turkwell Dam—food security, irrigation, peace-building, health, education, land and natural resource management, and enterprise development. He adds that reliable local content frameworks can help turn natural resource wealth into durable economic strength.
While acknowledging the financial promise of oil, Dr. Lomorukai cautions that revenue alone will not define success. He says sustainable development will depend on effective partnerships between investors, the national and county governments, and the people of Turkana.
“The Field Development Plan is more than a technical document,” he writes. “It represents a long-term partnership anchored on trust, inclusion and shared prosperity for the people of Turkana.”
