Kenya’s first crude oil export was flagged off on Monday by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Kipevu Oil Terminal at the Port of Mombasa.

President Kenyatta flagged off the first consignment of over 200,000 barrels of low Sulphur petroleum from Kenya’s oil fields in Turkana County. He termed it a milestone moment for Kenya as it becomes the first country in the region to export oil.

The President said the oil project has already brought benefits for the country, with the local communities directly benefiting from employment opportunities in production and logistics, in addition to the provision of ancillary and support services.

“This shows global markets that Kenya has the know-how and the infrastructure required to facilitate full-field development which will be marked by the production and pipeline transportation of first oil from Lokichar to the port of lame”

Sustainable Development

“The flagging off of thus maiden consignment represents a new dawn not just for Kenya but the whole region. But this great development must be greatly protected. We will ensure that Kenya’s natural resources are utilized in a manner that yields maximum dividends today but without compromising the interest of future generations,”

Uhuru promised that local communities are major beneficiaries of these resources, saying his administration has put measures to ensure that the fruits of prosperity are shared with the devolved units in an equitable and sustainable manner.

Blue Economy

President Kenyatta also said that his government is building a national capacity to take full advantage of our vast ocean resources.

50,000 Jobs

“The renewal of the logistics and shipping sector will enable Kenya to participate more fully in the regional and the maritime transport chain and this will create more than 50,000 new jobs in the medium term and make our imports cheaper and exports much more competitive.

Kenya signed a partnership with the Mediterranean shipping company last month to revive the national shipping line, as a national courier.

Early this month, President Uhuru Kenyatta signed Kenya’s first oil export deal worth $12 million, officially making the country one of the oil exporters in the continent.