Title: Review of environmental governance in oil and gas exploration fields in Kenya: analysis of constitutional, environmental policy, legal institutional framework and management practices in South Lokichar Basin, Turkana County

Authors: David Mugendi; Caleb Mireri; Grace Muraya

Addresses: Department of Environmental Planning and Management, School of Environmental Studies, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya ' Department of Environmental Planning and Management, School of Environmental Studies, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya ' Institute of Developmental Studies, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract: Oil was discovered in Kenya in 2012 in South Lokichar Basin. Effective environmental governance shall result to numerous socio-economic and environmental benefits to the locals around the oil fields and vice versa. This study aimed at reviewing the effectiveness of policy, legal and institutional framework governing environmental management in the oil fields of Kenya and make recommendations on how it can be enhanced. The study adopted systematic document review and case study research designs. The study established that Kenya has a robust environmental policy and legal framework, with glaring gaps in the areas of drill waste management, oil drilling technologies, gas flaring and dry wells restoration. Additionally, the study observed ineffective enforcement of the existing environmental regulations by the lead agencies around the oil fields resulting to environmental challenges. There is a need to develop oil extraction specific environmental management legislations and enhance the capacity of the lead agencies to ensure effective enforcement.

Keywords: Kenya; oil; gas; environment; policy; exploration; Turkana.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEPDM.2022.125769

International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, 2022 Vol.3 No.2, pp.97 - 121

Received: 10 Oct 2020
Accepted: 30 Jul 2021
Published online: 28 Sep 2022 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article