CS Makes 35 Appointments to Govt

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has established a 35-member committee to fast-track the commercial development of oil discoveries in Block T6 and Block T7 inLokichar, Turkana County.
These blocks are among the areasdesignated for oil and gas exploration in the Tertiary Rift Basin, which includes the Lokichar Basin. Currently, the government is focused on getting a Field Development Plan (FDP) approved by the cabinet and Parliament to realise commercial production in these blocks to begin oil exports in 2026.
In a notice published in the Kenya Gazette on August 22, the CS announced that the committee’s objective was to achieve Full Field Development and develop a crude oil export route.
Dubbed the First Oil Technical, Commercial and Legal Working Committee, the duration for which the 35 members will serve was not confirmed.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 10 (1) (c), 10 (1) (d), 10 (1) (e), 10 (1) (h), 10 (1) (i), 10 (1) (j), 10 (1) (l), 10 (1) (m), 10 (2), 10 (3), 10 (4) and 10 (5) of the Petroleum Act, Cap. 308 of the laws of Kenya, and for the purposes of realizing the objective of Kenya’s Vision 2030 to fast track the commercial development of oil discoveries in Block T6 and Block T7 to achieve Full Field Development and the development of a crude oil export route, appoints a committee to be known as the First Oil Technical, Commercial and Legal Working Committee (the “Committee”) consisting of the following,” the statement read in part.
The CS further outlined the roles of the committee, including negotiating the First Oil Technical and Commercial agreements between the government and the contractors to secure the government’s interest by obtaining the most favourable conditions for the government.
It will further undertake such research and consultations, including consultations with government-appointed advisors, as the committee considers necessary before finalising the First Oil Technical and Commercial agreements.
The committee will also advise the government on, and draft any necessary, enabling policies, statutory, regulatory, or institutional frameworks related to oil and gas exploration, development, and production, and approve a roadmap for the First Oil Development phases.
Fourthly, it will review, negotiate and oversee the implementation of the First Oil Technical and Commercial agreements between the government and the contractor.
Additionally, it will advise, in consultation with relevant government agencies, on a land access framework that provides secure long-term access to land for the First Oil Development.
It will further review and submit, every quarter, reports on the progress and work done in respect of First Oil Development to the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary.
Its last mandate will be performing any other function related to the Full Field Development and First Oil Development as may be directed by the Cabinet Secretary.
“The Committee shall establish a secretariat which shall comprise the members of the Committee and shall be responsible for preparing the reports of the Committee and for documenting the proceedings of the Committee,” the CS added.
“The Committee shall execute its mandate in consultation with the Principal Secretary and shall be responsible to the Cabinet Secretary.”