Kenya: Oil operations suspended in Turkana amid protests /update 1

Event

As of Monday, July 30, oil operations have been suspended until further notice in Turkana county amid social unrest in the vicinity of the oil facilities. The suspension follows operational disruptions caused by protests by nearby residents, who blocked nearby highways, preventing trucks from transporting oil to Mombasa, and broke into an oil storage site.

Context

Residents are protesting general insecurity in Turkana, as well as other grievances related to job creation, business opportunities, and profit sharing from oil production, for which the government has failed to reach an agreement with Turkana leaders. Local herders are also calling for the government to protect their cattle against thieves from nearby communities that continues despite increased security measures implemented in the area.

Advice

Individuals in Turkana county are advised to avoid all demonstrations and anticipate transportation disruptions near protest sites.

On a separate note, due to the significant terrorist threat and other security concerns, many Western governments advise against travel to a number of regions in the country, including areas bordering Somalia (parts of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Lamu counties), Ethiopia, and South Sudan, as well as nonessential travel to the city of Mombasa. Several Nairobi neighborhoods, including Eastleigh and Pangani, are also best avoided.