Leaders from Lamu County, Members of Parliament and senators have renewed calls for the full implementation of the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, warning that failure to complete any component of the flagship project risks undermining its economic promise and marginalising coastal and northern communities.

The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds, chaired by Godfrey Osotsi, on Tuesday met Gideon Mung'aro and his executive team to examine the Auditor General’s reports on Kilifi County entities, including Kilifi Municipality, Mariakani Municipality, Mtwapa Municipality, Malindi Municipality, Watamu Municipality, Kilifi Mariakani Water and Sewerage Company, and Malindi Water and Sewerage Company.

A watchdog Committee of the Senate has approved a request by the Office of the Auditor General for the setting up of a collaboration framework to jointly address the challenges relating to accountability ecosystem.

According to the proposal, the framework will bring together Parliament and the Office of the Auditor General.

The Joint Committee of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy and the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, today held a public hearing on the South Lokichar Field Development Plan in Turkwel, Kapenguria Constituency, West Pokot County.

Leaders and residents used the forum to demand equitable sharing of benefits from oil production in Turkana, arguing that the project heavily depends on water resources drawn from West Pokot.

Stakeholders have called for greater local participation, safety guarantees and long-term economic planning as the government advances major transport and petroleum projects linked to the South Lokichar oil fields.

Residents of Uasin Gishu presented their concerns and views on the South Lokichar Development Plan, which is before a joint committee comprising the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy and the Senate Standing Committee on Energy.

The joint committee was in Uasin Gishu to conduct public participation on the plan.

The Government has defended its decision to approve the South Lokichar Field Development Plan (FDP), arguing that the project is legally sound, economically viable and critical to unlocking Kenya’s upstream petroleum potential.

Appearing before a joint sitting of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Energy and the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi outlined the rationale behind the approval of the FDP and revised Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for Blocks T6 and T7 in the South Lokichar Basin.