Kenya has initiated high-level talks with India aimed at accelerating oil exploration and production in Turkana, as the government seeks to unlock the country’s commercial petroleum potential.
The discussions, led by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and India’s High Commissioner to Kenya Adarsh Swaika, focused on strengthening cooperation in oil exploration, drilling technology, equipment supply, and investment in upstream petroleum projects.
The proposed partnership is expected to support the development of the South Lokichar Basin by bringing in advanced drilling expertise, technology, and capital needed to move the project closer to commercial production.
Beyond crude oil development, Kenya and India also explored opportunities in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector, including measures to enhance supply chains and infrastructure to improve access to energy for households and industries.
The talks come as Kenya seeks new strategic partners to advance the Turkana oil project following the exit of previous major investors. India, which imports most of its crude oil, is increasingly looking to expand its footprint in East Africa’s upstream petroleum sector, presenting a potential opportunity for deeper energy cooperation between the two countries.
