Kenya's Mombasa Port Ready to Handle Turkana Oil Exports Despite Missed December Deadline
Mombasa, 27 January 2026
The Kenya Ports Authority has confirmed Mombasa port’s full operational capacity for crude oil exports from Turkana County’s South Lokichar fields, despite missing the planned December 2025 start date. Officials assured parliamentary energy committees that existing infrastructure at the Kipevu Oil Terminal, including four berths spanning 770 metres, can handle the anticipated oil operations. The export plan involves trucking crude oil from Turkana to the Kenya Pipeline Refineries facility in Changamwe, where six converted storage tanks with heating systems await deployment. Parliamentary approval remains pending, with Senator Mungatana confirming both houses must debate and approve the proposed oil deal before commercial extraction begins.
From Resource Disputes to Export Infrastructure
This development follows earlier tensions over oil wealth distribution, where West Pokot County leaders demanded compensation for providing water resources essential to Turkana extraction operations, as previously reported in our analysis of Kenya’s oil benefit-sharing disputes (https://kakuma.laio.site/dae5ab4-oil-benefits-resource-sharing/). Now, attention shifts from territorial claims to the practical mechanics of oil exportation, with the Kenya Ports Authority providing detailed assurances to parliamentary committees about Mombasa’s operational readiness. The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Energy, led by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana and Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, received comprehensive briefings on the port’s capacity to handle crude oil operations [1].
Technical Infrastructure and Transportation Logistics
The export process relies on sophisticated infrastructure already in place at Mombasa. KPA Harbour Master and General Manager for Marine Operations Patrick Onyango confirmed that existing facilities previously used for imported petroleum products are suitable for crude oil operations, stating that ‘the authority has adequate operational capacity to handle oil and related cargo at the port’ [1]. The Kipevu Oil Terminal features four berths with a combined length of 770 metres, with three currently operational and one reserved for future expansion [1]. Crude oil transportation will follow a two-phase approach, beginning with road transport from Turkana to the Kenya Pipeline Refineries Limited facility in Changamwe, then proceeding to the terminal through heated pipelines [1]. Gulf Energy has proposed comprehensive trucking operations involving 200 trucks daily, with 100 trucks travelling to Mombasa and an equal number returning to Lokichar, requiring a total fleet of 600 trucks with 33% allocated to county-based suppliers [1].
Storage Capabilities and Safety Protocols
At the Changamwe facility, six tanks have undergone conversion specifically for crude oil storage, equipped with insulation and steam heating coils to maintain optimal oil viscosity during storage and transport [1]. The facility requires truck reheating capabilities and steam supply systems to ensure efficient operations. However, some equipment faces maintenance challenges, with boilers remaining idle since September 2022 and requiring inspection before operations commence [1]. The KPA has implemented comprehensive safety measures, including emergency response protocols for potential oil spills and fire incidents, demonstrating the authority’s commitment to environmental protection during oil handling operations [1].
Parliamentary Oversight and Future Timeline
The commercial extraction timeline remains contingent on parliamentary approval, despite infrastructure readiness. Senator Mungatana emphasised that ‘this report will be debated by both houses to approve, reject or approve with amendments the proposed Turkana oil deal before commercial extraction can begin’ [1]. The parliamentary committee is currently compiling feedback from stakeholders across affected counties, including Turkana, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Mombasa, and Lamu [1]. Phase 2 planning envisions enhanced transportation through a combined truck-and-rail system, potentially involving either an extension of the Meter Gauge Railway line from Lokichar or extending the Standard Gauge Railway, though the SGR currently terminates in Naivasha without direct connection to the KPRL terminal [1]. For Turkana communities and the refugee populations in Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps, the suspension of oil activities has already resulted in lost benefits, including access to clean water that was previously provided during exploration phases [1].