This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
On August 1, 2019, Kenya made history by selling its first batch of crude oil, marking the country's entry into the league of oil-exporting nations.
President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the sale during a Cabinet briefing at State House in Nairobi, revealing that the country had earned $12 million (approximately Sh1.2 billion) from the deal.
"We are now an oil exporter," President Kenyatta said. "Our first deal was concluded this afternoon with 200,000 barrels at a price of 12 million US dollars. So, I think we have started the journey and it is up to us to ensure that those resources are put to the best use to make our country both prosperous and to ensure we eliminate poverty," he added.
The sale comes a year after President Kenyatta flagged off trucks carrying crude oil from Lokichar in Turkana to Mombasa for storage at Kenya Oil Refineries Limited.
