Oil trucking from Turkana to Mombasa has resumed after a two-month standoff brought about by protests by locals who were demanding jobs and enhanced security in the region.
The resumption began a day after residents who met with local leaders gave it a nod.
On Wednesday, Petroleum and Mining Cabinet Secretary John Munyes, Turkana County Commissioner Seif Matata, Tullow Oil Company officials based in Turkana and MPs James Lomenen (Turkana South), Turkana North MP Christopher Nakuleu and Mohammed Ali Lokiru (Turkana East) held meetings in Nakukulas, Lokichar and Kalemgorok centers to urge residents to allow the oil trucks to go to the coastal town.
“The community at oil fields and those along Lokichar-Kainuk road have agreed to let the trucks move out after we addressed several reservations and issues in the four meetings.
“The critical issues we addressed were local content, how all stakeholders will be engaging in case there is a disagreement as well as how the community will benefit when the country starts exporting the oil,” Mr Munyes told journalists at Kalemngorok centre in Turkana South.
He said the government is keen on setting up a committee to handle grievances raised by the locals to avert future stalemates.