Garissa residents demand stricter regulations on hazardous substances in oil exploration
The residents expressed concerns over the use of hazardous substances and waste dumping by companies that undertook previous oil exploration missions in the region.
Residents of Garissa County have called for the establishment of strict regulations on the use of hazardous substances and explosives during oil exploration.
The demand was made during a public participation session on draft petroleum regulations held in Garissa town on Thursday.
More To Read
- Five-year interfaith programme boosts Muslim-Christian unity in Garissa
- DRC opens 124 million hectares to oil exploration, risking endangered species and rainforests
- Afreximbank: Africa’s role in global oil trade expands amid production shifts
- Is Sudan’s war the reason for South Sudan’s economic crisis? What’s really going on with oil revenue
- EACC investigates alleged embezzlement of over Sh1.2bn by Garissa officials
- Garissa confirms one case of Rift Valley Fever in livestock
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) introduced the draft regulations to enhance safety, reliability, and consumer protection within Kenya's energy sector.
The residents expressed concerns over the use of hazardous substances and waste dumping by companies that undertook previous oil exploration missions in the region.
Sheikh Omar Abdisitar, Chairman of the Garissa Muslim Preacher Council, stated that the pastoralist communities still link the increase in cancer cases and climatic shocks in the region to previous oil exploration missions.
"Unless the draft clearly stipulates what kind of explosives and substances will be used and proper disposal procedures for substances used in the exploration of oil, then government efforts to extract oil in the region will definitely fail," he said.
Omar Shariff also called for strict regulations on the use of hazardous substances and environmental destruction caused during exploration missions.
"From my childhood to this time when I'm an old man, the information I have heard about companies involved in oil exploration in this region is very disturbing. We need regulations that will protect the lives of people and livestock that serve as their economic mainstay," he said.
The Director of Petroleum and Gas for EPRA, Eng. Edward Kinyua, during a public participation exercise at the Garissa North Eastern Technical College in Garissa town on August 21, 2025. (Photo: Issa Hussein)
Community benefits
Some participants expressed concerns about the direct benefits that communities will gain from oil exploration.
"We have seen how people of Turkana were protesting that they were not gaining from the oil exploration missions in their country. We need to know how this regulation draft has addressed such concerns," questioned Shafii Aden Issack.
The Director of Petroleum and Gas for EPRA, Eng. Edward Kinyua, assured the public that the draft has already addressed strict measures for environmental health and safety.
He acknowledged the concerns of the pastoralist communities and promised that their contributions would be further considered to strengthen the sector.
He also assured the public that any suspected previous cases of waste disposal or hazardous substance use will be investigated, and legal action will be taken against companies involved.
"Don't hesitate to share information with us on suspected areas, will collect samples and take them to government laboratories," he said.
Eng. Kinyua explained that the draft has considered the concerns of the communities, with 75 per cent of the resources going to the national government, 20 per cent to county governments, and 5 per cent to the communities.
The EPRA Manager of Environment Health and Safety, Clement Nadio, emphasised the safety measures currently addressed by the draft and assured the public that their inputs will be well considered.
Top Stories Today
