Security implications of oil exploration on socio-economic activities in south Loki char basin, Turkana county, Kenya

Abstract

This study attempted to explore the security implications of oil exploration on the socio-economic activities in south Lokichar basin, Turkana County, Kenya. Motivation for the study was drawn from manifest disputes between the county government and the national government on the exploration, extraction, production sharing of Oil benefits. This study was based on the Resource curse theory and Environmental justice theory. The research objectives were; to analyse the security implications of oil exploration on social activities; to evaluate the security implications of oil exploration on economic activities and; to examine emerging security management issues due to oil exploration. Cross-sectional survey design was used for the study. A sample of 382 respondents was drawn from a population was 8,493 adult residents of south Lokichar basin, Turkana County. A total of 32 key informants were drawn from the expatriate employees of Tullow PLC, administrators and community elders for Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Indigenous respondents were sampled using cluster area sampling, while the key informants/FGD participants were purposively sampled. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview schedule and FGD sessions; while secondary data was collected through thematic review of relevant literature. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis of excerpts; while quantitative data analysed using Excel and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and presented through descriptive frequencies, charts and tables. The study found that oil exploration had both positive and negative implications on the socio-economic activities of Lokichar community. The negative implications were mostly security in nature and arose from poor management of the community‟s expectations as regards expected benefits for oil exploration activities. The lack of proper management of the high expectations led to adversarial relations between the Lokichar community and the oil exploration company resulting in facility takeovers and disruptions in exploration operations. Besides, influx of people from outside Lokichar for oil related engagements led to a rise in crime; further adding to security burden. The study concluded that oil exploration has affected the socio-economic lives of the Lokichar residents and if not well managed, will lead to more confrontations adding to insecurity in the region. The study recommended that measures to manage expectations need to be undertaken by stakeholders. These include; increased community participation to encourage transparency, civil societies involvement to expose abuses, inclusive policy reviews on security, natural resource management and revenue sharing, exploration of alternative energy sources, institution of development and poverty eradication measures, and employment of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in dealing with disputes arising from oil exploration.