Turkana County Approves New Rules to Guarantee Local Jobs in Major Projects
Lodwar, 20 March 2026
Kenya’s second-largest county has validated groundbreaking regulations requiring companies to prioritise local hiring and procurement in development projects. The move comes as Gulf Energy prepares to restart oil operations that Tullow Oil abandoned in 2020, creating potential opportunities for Turkana’s communities and refugee populations across 77,000 square kilometres of territory.
Stakeholders Endorse Framework for Local Participation
On 19 March 2026, stakeholders from across Turkana’s economic landscape gathered in Lodwar to validate the draft Local Content Regulations 2026, marking a crucial milestone in operationalising the Local Content Act 2024 [1]. The workshop, convened by the Office of the County Attorney with support from Gulf Energy, brought together representatives from the private sector, state agencies, development partners, and organised community groups to review and endorse the regulatory framework [1]. County Attorney Ruth Emanikor emphasised that the validation was both a legal requirement and an essential step in translating policy into practice, stating that ‘it is the regulations that clearly define local participation, distribution of opportunities and the means of monitoring outcomes’ [1]. The endorsement clears the path for submission of the draft regulations to relevant authorities for final approval [1].
Oil Industry Revival Creates Implementation Urgency
The timing of these regulatory validations coincides with Gulf Energy’s preparation to restart oil operations in the region, having acquired the dormant project from Tullow Oil in September 2025 [2]. Tullow Oil had originally discovered crude deposits near Lokichar in 2010 but halted operations in 2020 due to setbacks and debt [2]. Gulf Energy representative Eris Lothike confirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the local content framework, stating that ‘Gulf Energy commits to support the local content legislation. We equally commit to prioritise local participation as provided for by the legislation once it is finalised’ [1]. Commercial oil production in the region is slated to begin in December 2026, creating immediate relevance for the new regulatory framework [2].
Community-Driven Recommendations Shape Implementation Strategy
During the validation deliberations, participants emphasised the need for stronger local communication channels, including the use of local languages in advertising opportunities [1]. The stakeholders also called for the formation of cooperatives and aggregation frameworks to enable communities to better capitalise on opportunities expected from the law’s operationalisation [1]. County Attorney Emanikor noted that the drafting process incorporated perspectives from comparable jurisdictions whilst reflecting Turkana’s local realities, explaining that ‘by validating this legislative framework, Turkana has laid a firm foundation for determining employment, revenue, procurement and value-addition opportunities available to the local population across different forms of engagement’ [1]. The validation workshop was attended by Chief Officer for Partnerships Janerose Tioko, alongside directors and staff from both the County Executive and County Assembly [1].
Regional Impact Amid Environmental Concerns
The implementation of local content regulations comes against the backdrop of ongoing environmental challenges from previous oil operations. A 2022 study by Kenyatta University found that eight of 11 groundwater samples near oil well pads in the Lokichar Basin were heavily contaminated [2]. Currently, 73 residents have filed a case against Tullow, the county, and the national government seeking land rehabilitation, with hearings that began in February 2026 ongoing [2]. Local community leader Elkanah Elimlin highlighted the environmental impact, stating that ‘hazardous waste has seeped into our community… This environment can no longer support our pastoral activities’ [2]. These environmental concerns underscore the importance of robust local content regulations that can ensure both economic opportunities and environmental accountability for Turkana’s communities, including the region’s substantial refugee population who depend on the same natural resources for their livelihoods [GPT].