A visit to Lokichar by Petroleum and Mining secretary John Munyes Tuesday failed to unlock a stalemate that has halted oil operations in Turkana.
Instead, Turkana leaders led by Governor Josphat Nanok issued fresh demands after residents initially blocked the early oil export plan to protest insecurity in the area.
On Tuesday, the leaders demanded at least 100 professional jobs for Turkanas saying that was part of the deal brokered in the presence of President Uhuru Kenyatta in Lokichar town on May 19.
Political leaders from Turkana had earlier met with the county security committee in Lodwar town.
MPs James Lomenen and Mohammed Ali Lokiru, who supported the blocking of five oil trucks destined for Mombasa along Lokichar-Kapenguria highway last Wednesday, said Mr Munyes and his Interior counterpart Fred Matiang'i must address demands of residents and their leaders before oil transportation can resume.
READ: Poor left out of mining profits as 'resource curse' hits Kenya
Mr Lomenen said that the meeting that was chaired by Mr Nanok and attended by several local leaders also resolved to put pressure on Dr Matiang’i “to ensure that all livestock stolen since President Kenyatta flagged off the first four oil trucks on June 3 are recovered.”
"We want the Interior secretary to assure us all that the security measures he will put in place will stop banditry attacks in Turkana County, especially in Turkana East and Turkana South sub counties where oil operations are going on so that citizens live in peace and have faith in the national government," he said, adding that residents will escort the trucks out of the county once their demands are met.
"Residents are also waiting for Mr Munyes' assurance that there are jobs and that Tullow Oil is giving the host community its fair share of tenders," Mr Lomenen said.
The MPs warned the CSs against giving residents empty promises about jobs, tenders and security of their livestock.
TURKANA LEADERS declare truce, allow transportation of oil beginning Wednesday after meeting Petroleum CS John Munyes and top security officers. pic.twitter.com/bRBLkWA50l
— Nation Breaking News (@NationBreaking) July 6, 2018
Those turkanas are being stupid. They should let oil flow otherwise they can ask south sudanase how war is helping them. The insecurity from Pokot will always exists.
Those turkanas are being stupid. They should let oil flow otherwise they can ask south sudanase how war is helping them. The insecurity from Pokot will always exists.I think both Uhuru and the Turkan's are out of line.
if they, the Afghans, don't straighten their country out the Russians will come and do it for them