Oil search in Kilifi to go on after leaders agree

Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi at Chapungu Primary School on September 5, 2014. Oil exploration at Arabuko Sokoke in the county will continue despite protests from environmental conservation groups. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The leaders and officials further agreed that Biographical Gas and Petroleum, which has been sub-contracted to do the ground work, will restrict its activities in villages and avoid venturing inside the Arabuko Sokoke forest.
• Block L16, the section where the exploration will take place, is a world renowned wildlife habitat that has rare species such as the Clarke’s bird and the African elephant.

By NEHEMIAH OKWEMBAH
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Oil exploration at Arabuko Sokoke will continue despite protests from environmental conservation groups.

Governor Amason Kingi met officials of Camak Kenya, the firm licensed to conduct the exploration, and some community leaders in his office on Friday and they agreed that the work should go on as the company engages with the community.

The leaders and officials further agreed that Biographical Gas and Petroleum, which has been sub-contracted to do the ground work, will restrict its activities in villages and avoid venturing inside the Arabuko Sokoke forest.

Conservation groups and the people living around the forest had opposed exploration in the forest claiming it was violation of conservation regulations.

PROJECT APPROVED
The Arabuko Sokoke Forest Adjacent Dwellers Association, the Watamu Marine Association, Nature Kenya, Arocha Kenya and Local Ocean Trust, among other organisations, claimed that they had been kept in the dark when the National Environmental Authority assessed the project and approved it.

“I got a letter from the concerned ministry in Nairobi that the company had been issued a licence to explore oil in this county but this was done without proper consultations,” Governor Kingi told the Nation on Sunday.

During the meeting, Camac Kenya was advised to create awareness among the communities that will be affected.

Block L16, the section where the exploration will take place, is a world renowned wildlife habitat that has rare species such as the Clarke’s bird and the African elephant.

Uesco is planning to declare the forest a World Biosphere Reserve, a recognition for sustainable conservation.