Kenya’s Senate has invited members of the public to submit views on key oil development documents for the South Lokichar Basin in Turkana County.
The invitation covers the Field Development Plan and Production Sharing Contracts for Blocks T6 and T7, which outline proposed oil projects, environmental safeguards, community obligations and projected national benefits ahead of parliamentary ratification.
In a public notice issued on Thursday, the Senate said the South Lokichar Field Development Plan and the associated Production Sharing Contracts were tabled in the House on 27 November 2025.
The documents were presented pursuant to Article 71 of the Constitution, which requires that any grant of a right or concession for the exploitation of natural resources by or on behalf of the national government be ratified by Parliament.
The Senate further cited section 31(3) of the Petroleum Act, Cap 308, which requires Parliament to undertake public participation when considering production sharing contracts and field development plans submitted for ratification.
Following their tabling, the documents were committed to the Standing Committee on Energy for review and consideration.
According to the notice, the Field Development Plan and the Production Sharing Contracts for Blocks T6 and T7 outline the proposed commercial development of six oil discoveries in the Lokichar Basin.
The documents also set out infrastructure plans, environmental safeguards, community obligations and projected national benefits linked to the proposed oil projects.
The Standing Committee on Energy said it was acting in line with the Constitution and the Petroleum Act by opening the process to public input.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Article 118 of the Constitution and section 31(3) of the Petroleum Act, Cap 308, the Standing Committee on Energy hereby invites members of the public to submit written memoranda on the Field Development Plan and the Product Sharing Contracts,” the notice stated.
Members of the public, civil society organisations, industry stakeholders and affected communities have been encouraged to review the documents and provide their views to Parliament before a final decision is made.
The Senate said copies of the Field Development Plan and the Production Sharing Contracts can be accessed through the Parliament website.
The invitation outlines several options for submitting memoranda. Submissions may be addressed to the Clerk of the Senate and sent by post to P.O. Box 41842-00100, Nairobi.
Alternatively, memoranda can be hand-delivered to the Office of the Clerk of the Senate at the Main Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, or sent electronically by email.
The Senate specified that electronic submissions should be sent to the official address of the Clerk of the Senate, with a copy to the Standing Committee on Energy. All memoranda must be received on or before Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5.00 p.m.
The notice was signed by J. M. Nyegenye, CBS, the Clerk of the Senate, reaffirming the formal parliamentary process under way.
By inviting public participation, the Senate said it was fulfilling its constitutional obligation to ensure openness, accountability and inclusivity in decisions relating to the exploitation of natural resources.
The South Lokichar Basin has been at the centre of Kenya’s oil exploration efforts, and the consideration of the Field Development Plan and Production Sharing Contracts marks a key stage in determining whether and how the identified oil discoveries will move into full commercial production.
The Senate’s call for memoranda signals that public views will form part of the deliberations as lawmakers assess the legal, economic, environmental and social implications of the proposed developments.
Once the public participation process is concluded, the Standing Committee on Energy is expected to compile its findings and present a report to the Senate, ahead of any vote on ratification of the contracts and development plan.
