Kenya has beat odds to become first East African nation to export oil and stands to benefit more from the Turkana oil with many job opportunities awaiting Kenyans even as the government estimates the country will start repeating benefits from the oil in 2024.
Kenya signed an agreement with the Mediterranean shipping company, a shareholder in the Kenya’s shipping line, aimed to revive the Kenya National Shipping Line as a national carrier.
During the inauguration of Kenya’s first oil export from Mombasa on Monday (August 26), President Uhuru Kenyatta said that through the partnership many job opportunities for Kenyans in shipping and logistics sector will be created.
“The renewal of shipping and logistics sector will enable Kenya to participate more fully in the regional and global Maritime transport value chains and this, I believe will create more than 50,000 jobs in medium term and make our imports cheaper and our exports that much more competitive.” Said President Kenyatta.
Through the Mediterranean shipping company, however, Kenya National Shipping Line will now gain access to more than 500 ports across the world, and will enable Kenya to ship oil and its exports through its National carrier and to get many Kenyans working in the Maritime industry.
During the inauguration, the head of state said Kenya flagged-off 136 Young Kenyan seafarers out of the already recruited group of 275, and they will serve in different fields related to Maritime labour policies and job deployment.
“It is double pride today as we flag of 136 Young Kenyan seafarers out of an already recruited group of 275. I can happily disclose that the lowest salary of these seafarers will be a minimum of Ksh.85, 000 per month.” Said the President.
The flagging-off
According to the President’s speech, Kenya now has knowledge and the infrastructure required to transport its own oil to Mombasa for exportation, and will be marked by production and pipeline transportation of first oil to the port of Lamu in Mombasa County.
He said Kenya stands to benefit from the crude oil, an indicator for prosperity where many local communities will reap the benefits from the resource.
“The early oil pilot scheme has also brought it with prosperity for the people of Turkana but also the wider republic with very many local communities directly benefiting from employment opportunities in production and logistics in addition to the provision of auxiliary and support services.” He added.
On August 1, the head of state made an announcement that Kenya had joined oil exporting countries in the world and had exported its first crude oil.
