The government has assured Parliament that Kenya’s road and rail infrastructure will be ready to support crude oil transportation from the South Lokichar Basin, with first oil expected by the end of 2026.
Appearing before the Joint Parliamentary Committees on Energy on Wednesday, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir told the senators and MPs that the ongoing investments across the transport network will ensure that evacuation of crude oil from Turkana to the Port of Mombasa does not face logistical constraints.
The presentation focused on the Field Development Plan (FDP) and associated Production Sharing Contracts for oil blocks T6 and T7 in Turkana County.
Chirchir told the legislators that the Ministry has outlined two main road evacuation options from Lokichar to Mombasa where thefirst route runs through Marich Pass and Baringo to Nakuru, Nairobi and the Coast, offering a lower-traffic alternative suitable for controlled and predictable oil volumes.
The CS said that the second route passes through Kitale and Eldoret, linking to the Northern Corridor and leveraging an established logistics ecosystem to support higher evacuation volumes.
''Along this corridor, Government has undertaken a multi-lot upgrading programme from the Barpelo–Tot–Sigor–Marich Pass axis, with contract packages already awarded and works ongoing in key sections. The overall intent is to secure a reliable, high-standard road connection through this axis into Baringo and onward toward Nakuru.’’ ChirChir said.
The CS affirmed to the lawmakers that both corridors are undergoing upgrades, including strengthening of key road sections, safety improvements and expansion of capacity along the Nakuru–Nairobi–Mombasa spine and the coastal gateway into the port.
Chirchir told lawmakers that the national road network is “advanced and continuously improving,” with major projects either completed or underway to handle heavy tanker traffic.
According to the Ministry, large-scale crude trucking is expected to start in March 2027, involving about 100 trucks operating on a continuous six-day turnaround cycle along the Lokichar–Mombasa corridor.
‘’Crude oil trucking from Lokichar to Mombasa is scheduled to begin in March 2027, with approximately 100 trucks operating on a six-day turnaround cycle, resulting in continuous heavy axle loading along the Lokichar–Kitale–Eldoret– Nakuru–Nairobi–Mombasa Corridor.’’ Chirchir said.
CS Chirchir said that to address safety concerns, the government plans enhanced enforcement and public awareness through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), joint road safety audits along high-risk sections, and the establishment of new motor vehicle inspection centres in Lodwar and Lokichar.
A proposed roadside compliance station at Chepereria will also be used to check tanker roadworthiness, axle loads and driver fatigue once funded.
‘’The Ministry through NTSA, is undertaking public education and Road Safety awareness initiatives, targeting different road users on visibility as a road safety measure. Targeted and sustained Road Safety Public education and sensitization campaigns aim to largely improve road use behaviour which contributes to over 90 percent of road traffic crashes and fatalities on our roads.These interventions will be enhanced and sustained going forward.’’ Chirchir affirmed to the lawmakers.
The Nominated senator Veronica Maina and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna were concerned on the road safety measures and risks during the entire process saying that the process is posing accident risks considering the roads prosed have not been developed.
Chirchir told the MPs that the Ministry acknowledged increased accident risks associated with heavy tanker traffic, particularly on steep sections such as Marich Pass and in urban areas where trucks interact with light vehicles and motorcycles.
The government also warned of growing boda boda traffic in corridor towns, which could heighten fatality risks unless targeted enforcement and engineering measures are implemented.
To prevent environmental incidents, the government plans stricter tanker standards, expanded vehicle inspections and mandatory GPS tracking for oil transport fleets.
‘’Road tanker inspections relies heavily on Kitale MVI station (approximately 213 km away) increasing risk of undetected mechanical faults. Proposed expansion of MVI services to Lodwar or Kitale to reduce mechanical failure risks.’’ Chirchir said.
He added that, ‘’We will put in place and we have Recommendation for mandatory GPS and Telematics (digital) tracking of tanker fleets.’’
In the event of accidents or spills, the Ministry said the “polluter pays” principle will apply, meaning contractors and operators will bear full responsibility for cleanup, restoration and compensation, unless damage results from government negligence or force majeure.
On legal matters, Chirchir said, ‘’Kenya applies the Polluter Pays Principle, meaning the party that causes pollution or environmental harm bears full responsibility for cleanup, restoration, and compensation.’’
He added, ‘’ The Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) makes it illegal to discharge hazardous substances and requires the polluter to Pay full clean-up and restoration costs, compensate affected third parties and take immediate mitigation measures.’’
The CS told the MPs that road transport will only be used in the initial phase where from 2030, Kenya plans to transition to a hybrid road-rail system, with crude trucked from Lokichar to Eldoret and then transported by rail to Mombasa.
The government is working to rehabilitate the Eldoret–Mombasa meter gauge railway and procure specialized tank wagons under a project estimated to cost about USD666.5 million.
The government has said that shifting bulk transport to rail will reduce road damage, cut accidents and lower carbon emissions while improving logistics efficiency.
‘’Central to this plan is a high-capacity, multimodal transport corridor from Lokichar to Mombasa combining road and rail to ensure safe, efficient crude oil evacuation.’’ Adding that, ‘’We have prioritized the critical upgrade of the Eldoret–Mombasa Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) and the procurement of specialized rolling stock (tank wagons and or tank containers) for crude oil transport.
Parliament is currently undertaking public participation before ratifying the Field Development Plan after which the joint committee will consider and adopt the report.
