Emerging Security Management Issues Due to Oil Exploration Activities in South Lokichar Basin, Turkana County, Kenya

Abstract

This study explored emerging security management issues due to Oil exploration in south Lokichar basin, Turkana County, Kenya. Inspiration for the study was drawn from the disagreements between the county government and the national government on the exploration, extraction, production and sharing of Oil benefits. The study was anchored on the Resource Curse Theory explaining that poor resource governance and policies usually results in problems rather than benefits. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. A sample of 382 respondents was drawn from a target population was 8,493 adults who consist of the indigenous residents, of south Lokichar basin, Turkana County. The key informants were drawn from the expatriate employees of Tullow PLC, security managers and administrators. Focus discussion group of 12 participants was drawn from community leaders of South Lokichar.  Indigenous respondents were sampled using cluster area sampling, while the key informants and FGD were purposively sampled. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview schedule; while secondary data was collected through thematic review of relevant literature. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic method with inferences being drawn; while quantitative data was analysed using descriptive frequencies, charts and tables. The study was expected to come up with recommendations on how to mitigate negative security implications of oil exploration on socio-economic activities in south Lokichar basin, Turkana County, Kenya. The study found out that on emerging security issues following oil exploration, 55% of respondents confirmed that human rights abuses had occurred, 60% of the respondents reported participation of Civil Society Organisations in oil exploration activities, while 60% confirmed that oil exploration activities have led to increased insecurity. The study further established that 65% of the respondents felt that the security measures in place were insufficient to deal with security threats as a result of oil exploration while 60% of the respondents did not feel primarily entitled to the benefits of oil exploration and production. Finally, the study concluded that oil exploration had both positive and negative security implications on socio-economic activities in South Lokichar Basin, Turkana County,Kenya.