Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna Accuses Government of Secretive, Exploitative Turkana Oil Deals

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has accused the government of secretive and exploitative deals in the Turkana Oil project. He claimed Gulf Energy’s ownership changed hands multiple times in just days. He said this was meant to hide the true beneficiaries.

“The current FDP was approved by government days after the last ownership changes… We don’t have leaders. We have dealers in government who don’t care about anything other than themselves,” Sifuna tweeted. He added that the production sharing contract was revised on November 25, 2025. The maximum recoverable cost rose from 55% to 85%. Clause 27(2)(b) was expanded to include labour, fuel, repairs, and hauling costs. Sifuna warned this could allow Gulf Energy to claim almost all revenue.

He also criticized the exemption of the agreement from the Senate Local Content Bill. “Kenyans will never see any real benefits from that oil,” he said. The Senate is seeking public input on the Field Development Plan and Production Sharing Contracts for Blocks T6 and T7. Citizens can submit memoranda by January 16, 2026.

The Turkana Oil project is Kenya’s first major commercial oil venture. It could boost revenue and energy security. Sifuna’s allegations raise concerns about transparency and governance. Tullow Oil recently sold its stake to Auron Energy E&P Limited, a Gulf Energy subsidiary, for $120 million. Tullow had been involved for over a decade but faced delays, financial pressures, and regulatory hurdles.

Public scrutiny is critical. Citizens and stakeholders must examine the agreements carefully before Parliament ratifies them. Kenya’s oil wealth must benefit the country and its people.