This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
Leaders from the Pokot community in West Pokot have raised concerns over reports that Tullow Oil plans to draw water from the Turkwel Dam to fill oil wells in Turkana, without consulting the community.
According to the leaders, led by Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto, Senator Samuel Poghisio, and others, the decision was allegedly made last year by West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, who signed an agreement with Governor Josphat Nanok, Tullow Oil leadership, and the Kerio Valley Development Authority in South Africa.
Human rights activist Denis Kapchok claimed that when he raised the alarm, many dismissed him, praising Governor Lonyangapuo for 'bringing investors from South Africa to West Pokot county.'
However, one year later, Kapenguria legislator Samuel Moroto raised the alarm again, stating that no single leader had been involved in consultations over the issue, and that it was only one man who had decided to sell the community's birthright.
The Pokot community has also claimed that Tullow Oil has given over 2,000 overseas scholarships to Turkana children, but that Pokot children from West Pokot and Amudat district have not benefitted from these projects.
The community leaders are demanding an agreement on how they can share revenue accrued from the oil wells, and are refusing to allow any water to be taken from the Turkwel Dam until their demands are met.
