Jan-June 2019 | Issue 2

Tullow Oil Kenya publication

Partnering to drive change Students from Morulem Mixed Secondary School conducting an experiment TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD

05 06 10 FOREWORD NOTE FROM THE MD EDUCATION Furnishing a future

13 18 24 EDUCATION WATER WATER Changing the course of Water has been a With clean water, the learning game changer difference is clear

urkana County is one of We have worked to contribute to the the most arid regions in standards in water, health, education the country and also one and environmental conservation. Tof the poorest. Since pre- What you will read inside these pages 28 30 34 independence, Turkana County has are the outcomes have been bred LOCAL CONTENT SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ENVIRONMENTAL been left out of the mainstream from the partnerships we have forged Giving locals skills in Growing livelihoods RESTORATION economic agenda meaning that little in order to uplift the wellbeing of the oil drilling through business Reclaiming oil sites in has been done for decades to change host community. the lot of the community You will learn about incubation Turkana whose main economic what a dormitory meant mainstay is nomadic “ We recognised for Uhuru Girls High pastoralism. This is the that the Turkana School and a laboratory reality that confronted Community would for Morulem Mixed Tullow Oil when we be one of our Secondary School or began exploration in this 36 38 40 water for the people of county. most important CONFLICT RESOLUTION CONFLICT RESOLUTION LOCAL CONTENT Kode Kode and Kataboi. Using drama to pass on the Solving grievances: We Guarding our future Yet we recognised that partners” The partnerships the Turkana Community message pay like for like we have forged also would be one of the most important meant injecting more life to Kataboi partners in the journey to oil Dispensary. You will also learn about production. Working with other the nine members from the local partners, we therefore embarked community who benefited from on a journey that would help to specialised training at Al Mansoori in uplift the lives of the people that the United Arab Emirates and much we were going to work with and live more. We hope you enjoy reading it. amongst for the foreseeable future. ©Produced by TKBV, GPA and Communication Team

4 5 HOW PARTNERSHIPS ARE POWERING TRANSFORMATION

At Tullow Oil, we work to maximise the participation of local businesses within our supply chain to ensure the oil and gas sector creates positive impacts on the economies and lives of local communities where we operate

he Turkana people say that Ejok governments, citizens, employees, aelo a ng’iputiro eloose alogita communities and industry kaapei (The bond between partners. warthogs is stronger when they Creating this long-term value requires an in our social investments be it in our T collaboration with KCB Foundation hunt together.) innovative and progressive approach to “We aim to our social investment. to provide 230 vocational training Loosely translated, this proverb is used scholarships and 130 secondary school to help us understand the importance of support local Over the last few years, we have scholarship 2019/2022, or when we work coexistence. retooled that approach with a deliberate with Oxfam to deliver a water project or companies commitment to working and collaborating partnering with KenGen Foundation on No matter what our varying opinions with other partners to better leverage our 2,000 environmental conservation in Turkana may be, we need each other. In addition, to grow and investments and maximise the value of Barrels per day to be delivered to and West Pokot or when we empower the Turkana people also say that Emam our investments. Mombasa everyday under EOPS Community Water Users Associations to itwaan emakar epaai which loosely develop so they manage boreholes. translates to mean that no man is an Tullow seeks to deliver shared prosperity island. This wisdom that reinforces can secure through our business activities in the Our partnerships don’t end at physical partnership is expressed in nearly all business countries and communities where we projects. We continue to do remarkable African communities; sticking together, work through optimising local content work with partners such as Invest in bound to a common cause or creed. from other and building suppliers’ capacity, building Africa, Technoserve, Asante Africa local skills and developing people, and by Foundation and the Lundin Foundation When Tullow arrived in Turkana some international ensuring that we have focused socio- in empowering and building the capacity eight years ago to prospect for oil, we economic investment that enhances local 230 of local companies to participate in our were cognizant that for us to succeed in economies. value chain. companies” Vocational training scholarship we finding oil, it would take more than our seek to award in 2019/2022 in our technical expertise. This edition of Ustawi Magazine focuses Together with these organisations, we partnership with KCB Foundation on the partnerships with stakeholders have conducted business skills training Tullow acknowledged that building in the delivery of our social investment for Turkana-based business owners partnerships with various stakeholders projects in Kenya in general and Turkana which has not only improved their would be a key ingredient in our success specifically. ability to compete for business but also – partnering with the community, the facilitated access to capital. local leadership, the government and As Tullow, we know that by partnering other corporations to derive value with other like-minded corporates we Moving forward, we will continue to together. can leverage our individual and collective deliver a social investment strategy resources and expertise to create a built on the pillars of tangible benefits, Partnerships tie up with our sustainability catalytic effect bigger than our individual 2 of 3 transparency, and sustainability. approach which helped us focus our sum and potential. commitment on managing the impact About 2 out of every 3 Tullow and Martin Mbogo, OGW of our operations while creating We see multi-stakeholder partnerships contractor workers in Kenya are from Managing Director, Tullow Oil Kenya shared prosperity for shareholders, as crucial in underpinning sustainability Turkana

6 7 EDUCATION Tullow Oil is spearheading the push towards a better educated population by improving the infrastructure, and awarding scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

580 Number of students at Uhuru Girls High School. This is an increase from 360 learners in 2015

72 Number of girls who can be accommodated at the new dormitory at Uhuru Girls High School

8 9 “We received a positive response in “With the dorm, we were able to increase 2015. The contractors came here and the student population by admitting more FURNISHING I took them to the site that had been girls. This is in line with the current policy demarcated for the construction,” recalls from the Ministry of Education, as well Ms Njogu. as the government, that there should be 100% transition of learners from primary Construction of the dormitory ended in to secondary school. We celebrate Tullow A FUTURE 2018 and apart from furnishing the facility for making this a reality.” with safety features as recommended by the Ministry of Education, Tullow also The number of students has reached equipped the new dormitory with beds. 580. The institution admits learners from far-flung area in the expansive Turkana “The dorm is spacious and very modern. County and students from other counties It has bathrooms, toilets and a laundry like Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu. area,” said Ms Njogu. Students are happy about the new According to Lydia Wanyonyi, the boarding dormitory, and other facilities at the mistress, the new dorm has freed up school which they say will go a long way space in existing dormitories. in making their stay and learning much “Apart from more easier. furnishing the facility “The new one can accommodate 72 girls. Compared to the older ones, this one “I wanted to study in a different with safety features even has a fire exit, a feature that is not environment. I also chose this school present in the other dorms,” says the because it has excellent facilities,” says as recommended Chemistry and Biology teacher. the Form Two student Bianca Kibet from by the Ministry of Eldoret. Reverend Samson Akoru has been the Education, Tullow chairperson at Uhuru Girls for six years. Form Four student Daphine Lomaniko He thanks Tullow for the kind gesture. comes from Lokitang in Turkana North. also equipped the By bus, it’s an eight-hour journey. “From “The dorm reduced congestion and we Lokichar to Lodwar Town is three hours; new dormitory with are thankful to Tullow for providing a from Lodwar to Lokitang’ is five hours.” beds.” Construction of a modern 72-capacity dormitory at Uhuru Girls High School has not only modern facility.” She too does not mind the distance – Ms Beatrice Njogu given students a better learning environment, it has increased student enrolment Ms. Njogu appreciates Tullow for the because she enjoys the learning at Uhuru work they are doing in the community. Girls.”

When it was started in 2006, Uhuru Girls High School was The guidelines require every school to have blueprints of the supposed to plug an existing education gap for girls in Turkana. buildings, classrooms, dormitories and hallways.

By 2015, the time Beatrice Njogu was posted there as the Dormitory doors should be at least five feet wide and should principal, there was more than enough evidence that Uhuru open outwards. The dormitories should have emergency exits Girls High School had fulfilled its role. at the middle and back and windows must be without grills and should be easy to open outwards. Fire extinguishers and The population had grown to 445 students, which although good, fire alarms should also be fitted in the dormitories and clearly had created an additional problem – the three dormitories marked. available were built to accommodate 360 girls. The congestion at Uhuru Girls was therefore, against these As a result, the administration had resorted to utilizing every safety guidelines and a health challenge. space available in the dormitories. “If one student had a cold, everyone ended up catching it. “We were not able to space the beds as required by the Ministry Besides, the girls did not have adequate spaces to keep their of Education, which lays out guidelines for dormitory spacing,” belongings,” said Ms Njogu. said Ms Njogu. The school management wrote a proposal to Tullow Oil, Introduced by the Ministry of Education in 2008, the Safety requesting the company fund construction and equipping of Guidelines for Disaster and Risk Reduction in schools were a new dormitory to accommodate the burgeoning student prepared in the wake of a spate of school strikes and fires in population. dormitories, some of which were fatal.

10 Students at the dormitory 11 CHANGING THE COURSE OF LEARNING Teaching and learning of science subjects has improved significantly at Morulem secondary school after Tullow funded the construction and equipping of two laboratories

eacher Oliver Masafu carefully pours a a ‘Harambee’ school. It was sponsored by an clear liquid into a test tube. Using surgical organization called Morulem Water Irrigation precision, he tears off a piece of litmus Scheme (MOWA). paper and drops it into the tube. He then T “We only had two high schools in Turkana East– looks at the group of students surrounding him and Kangi’tit Girls and RCEA Lokori Boys High School. explains what’s happening to the keen learners. Therefore, all the students from Morulem, Katilia As the paper turns from white to red, his eyes dart and Lotubai attended these schools, which meant from one student to another, to see if they have they had to walk for long distances,” says Mr Ayedi. understood. They have to because the national As such, the construction of Morulem secondary secondary school examinations are just around the school was a relief not only for the students, but for corner. the community too. However, the institutions lacked “We were conducting a qualitative analysis test for facilities necessary for smooth learning, key among organic compounds,” the chemistry and agriculture them being a laboratory. tutor tells his students. “A laboratory is a must in a secondary school A while ago, these and other experiments would because you use it in instruction of subjects not have been possible until Tullow Oil built two such as chemistry, physics and biology. However, laboratories, these and other experiments would construction and equipping of a lab requires huge not have been possible. Before, the most the amounts of funds. Other than the structure, you will science teachers at Morulem Mixed Secondary need chemicals, stools, sinks, fire extinguishers, School in Lokori, Turkana County could do was gas, a storage room, constant supply of water, teach scientific theories and then demonstrate which is scarce in this area, and even the hiring of a what they had taught the learners using the few lab technician,” says Mr Avedi. apparatus that were available. With no lab, teachers had to improvise while For the learners at the boarding school, the teaching. theoretical concepts never materialized. “Without the physical structure, the students barely “For sciences, one has to teach the theory, then understood what you were talking about. Moreover, prove what you are teaching using a practical the few existing apparatus like burettes and experiment. Otherwise, whatever you are teaching pipettes were always being damaged since we did remains an abstract idea,” says Alfred Avedi not have a storage room,” Mr. Masafu says. Kamadi, the deputy principal. Construction of the laboratories began in 2016. The secondary school was started in 2012 as Unfortunately, construction was not over by the

12 13 “After school, I want to become a nurse so that I can help people.” - Pamela Lobuin

between a well equipped school and success in examinations. That’s why many parents want to transfer their children to Morulem Mixed Secondary School,” says Mr. Avedi. For the 2018 candidates, they have never felt more ready to write the national exam. “We’ve been conducting a lot of practical experiments in preparation for the Pamela Lobuin examinations. Personally, I never liked sciences but this changed after the labs were built. Now, biology is my favourite time students were sitting their Kenya subject,” says 20-year-old Pascal Certificate of Secondary Education Kinyang, who wants to study medicine. examination. This meant that, like in previous years, biology and chemistry Pamela Lobuin, 20, also appreciates practical tests would be conducted in the kind gesture. She says her journey classrooms. “The community believes towards joining nursing school has begun. “The laboratories have been of According to the deputy principal, that there is a correlation great help to us since we can undertake excitement was palpable when the doors practicals. We now expect good results in to the labs were opened for the first time sciences and in all other subjects,” she in 2017. Form Three students were the 30 between a well equipped Number of students who can be at the says. first to learn in the new laboratory. “The laboratories in one session other students stood by the windows, school and success in exams. Each of the two laboratories can trying to catch a glimpse of what was accommodate 15 students. With a happening. They were extremely excited,” Since we now have facilities current population of 465, the school he says. administration hopes to get funds to construct two more facilities. Other than the immediate benefit to of note, people want to admit students, the school also saw an upsurge Now that the labs are up and running the of enrolment of students, especially from their children here,” next hurdle, Mr. Avedi says, is the hiring Form Three and Four students from of science teachers. “Our school needs an other schools. And for the first time, the 2017 additional 12 teachers to plug the deficit school’s administration hired a physics - Alfred Avedi but, we are indebted to Tullow Oil for the teacher. construction of these laboratories and Year when the the development they have brought to our “In this area, community members laboratories were opened Alfred Avedi, deputy principal, community,” he says. believe that there is a correlation Morulem Mixed Secondary School.

14 15 WATER Water is life and nowhere is this seen more than in Turkana County. A water reticulated system funded by Tullow Oil and partners is improving access to water, increasing disease prevention, and increasing economic activities for the Turkana people. We are also building the capacity of users associations to help them manage community projects.

KES50M The amount that Tullow funded the project

KES10M Amount donated for drilling of the borehole

6,000 Tullow provided technical support for Number of residents who now the implementation of the project. have access to piped borehole water

16 17 “Hungry people can’t be expected to engage in developmental WATER HAS BEEN pursuits. This is why we appreciate efforts A GAME CHANGER by Tullow Oil.” Tullow has funded drilling of boreholes in Turkana which have - Emathe Namuar brought forth numerous benefits such as increased food security, reduction of water borne diseases and reduction of cattle theft

he economic mainstay of Turkana County is livestock In Nakukulas area, Tullow Oil has contracted Barefoot Solutions keeping. This is an activity that is often at the mercy of to establish a demonstration farm to teach community members the vagaries of the weather. about farming and crops such as bananas, sweet potatoes have been doing well. Namuar says some residents near water points TWhen the rains fail, most of the residents are left facing are already practicing what they have learnt. destitution as livestock perish. This reality is pushing the County Government of Turkana to get more people to mix livestock Last year, Barefoot Solutions worked with a local community keeping with agriculture. group in Kapese on an experimental fodder production farm. Napier grass has done well in the one-hectare farm and the first The major challenge to this paradigm shift remains lack of crop is ready for harvest. water for both irrigation and domestic use. According to Emathe Namuar, the Executive Committee Member for Water, almost all It is hoped that the community group, Kapese Young Stars, will available water is underground making it pass on what they have learnt to residents expensive to access. living near water points. “As a county government, we have many “In areas “This kind of success is particularly exciting. financial obligations and therefore we are It means that our people will no longer be unable to provide everybody with water. where water is wholly dependent on naturally occurring This is why we are partnering with private pasture that dries up when rain fails. We entities such as Tullow Oil to provide available, we expect fodder production to increase as solutions,” says Namuar. our development partners such a Tullow are encouraging increase access to water that can be used for As part of its social investment irrigation,” says Namuar. programme, Tullow has been providing people to adopt financial resources to drill, rehabilitate He says other than uptake of agricultural boreholes, and truck water to areas irrigation to grow activities, the county has recorded a decline suffering severe shortage. of waterborne diseases, which means food crops” residents are enjoying better health. So far, Tullow has invested around Ksh200 million to drill more than 30 boreholes - Emathe Namuar, “This, coupled with increased food security around the county. and better nutrition is good for the community,” he says. “In areas where water is now available, County Executive we are encouraging people to adopt Another important aspect of water availability irrigation to grow food crops to improve Committee has been improved security in a region that nutrition and boost food security. Indeed has had problems of cattle rustling. some residents have taken farming to a Member for Water Mr Namuar says that every prolonged commercial scale,” he says. drought is followed by an increase in livestock “Food security is a precursor to development. Hungry people theft as communities try to restock. can’t be expected to engage in economic activities. Their minds “As we get more water and fodder to sustain our livestock even will be preoccupied with getting food. This is why we find during times of drought, we expect cases of cattle rustling will efforts by Tullow Oil to boost food security a most welcome reduce because the risk of our people losing their animals is development,” he says. minimised,” he says.

18 19 For many years, members of the Kode Kode community would walk for 20 kilometres to Kalapata in search of water

he Kode Kode watering point company provided a water tank at Kode But after assessment, he says the is a hive of activity. Although Kode that would be filled with water every company realised that supplying water there’s animated chatter from the three days. using bowsers was not sustainable. people who have brought their T According to the oil company, delivery “We decided to engage the government livestock to the watershed, their banter of water to the community was one of and the community to ensure that is occasionally drowned by bleats from the obligations that Tullow had to fulfill residents would have water from a more goats and brays from donkeys. before prospecting for oil. sustainable source,” says Ekwam. The herders have led their treasured “During exploration and appraisal, The community formed a group. “They livestock here to quench their thirst and the communities within our areas of formed the Kochodin Water Resource cool off from the unforgiving heat that interest had no access to water. As a Users Association (KWRUA). The defines Turkana County. social license to operate, there was a members were from Lopii, Lokomosing’, Also in the fray, is a group of young component that Tullow had to supply Nakukulas, and Lokicheda,” recalls Turkana men. They are busy heaving water for the communities. There being Johanna. plastic pipes onto a motorized cart which no infrastructure within the areas of The group was taken for a three-day is fastened to a tractor. operations, Tullow, in collaboration with training course in Lodwar on how to write the communities, delivered water using “The pipes will be transported to proposals, how to manage water sources water bowsers,” Johanna Ekwam, the different areas of Kode Kode. Through and conserve water, among others. Water Delivery Lead at Tullow Oil, says. my company, Nakuprat Contractors and After the training, Tullow, the County General Suppliers, I won the tender to Government and KWRUA embarked dig the trenches where the pipes will be on the Nakukulas-Lokicheda Water laid,” says David Losinyono. Reticulation Project. How did all this start? “After we identified the location, and Peter Echiwa, a local, paints a graphic after feasibility tests, we involved the picture of how it was before. community and the county government. We did this to give them a sense of “I was born here. For many years, we ownership. We fully funded the project used to walk 20 kilometres daily to and then gave the two stakeholders full Kalapata in search of water for our control,” says David Ndago, Tullow’s families and our livestock,” he says. Water Management Supervisor. “In 2014, we requested Tullow Oil to drill KES50m After drilling of the borehole was a borehole to ease our struggles,” he Amount that Tullow Oil invested in the complete, the water was piped to Kode adds. Nakukulas-Lokicheda Water Reticulation Kode. Tullow listened to their grievances and Project “We carried out surveys in Turkana South embarked on delivery of water using and East since these were the areas that bowsers from Lokicheda. He says the needed water most. We settled on Kode Kode because it was a central area. The community didn’t have any objection to A water project the proposed location,” says Peter. funded by Tullow The water project will be serving a population of 67,000. These are pipes clean water communities living in Nakukulas, No more a to more than 11 Lokicheda and Katamanak. In line with Tullow’s policy of local villages, ending the participation, the services and manpower pipe dream 67,000 needed to keep the water project up woes of thousands and running were provided by local People who will access water from companies. of villagers Kode Kode. “We advertised and local companies started applying for tenders. Local

2020 21 “We did some surveys in Turkana South and East since these were the areas that needed water. Kode Kode was perfect because it was central,” - Peter Echiwa

companies dug the trenches for laying the pipes and supplied the pipes. It’s only the water tank that was not supplied and installed by a local firm,” says Epero Kevin, a member of KWRUA’s managing committee. Tullow funded the project to a tune of Sh50 million, donated Shs10 million for drilling of the borehole and provided technical support for the implementation of the project. Water from the borehole is piped to 11 villages. All that community members have to do is lead their animals to the water points, a far cry from having to walk long distances. “There are plans to pipe water to more villages,” says McLewis. Besides, there is a second phase of the water reticulation project north of Kode Kode which will cover Kalapata and Kamarese. “We have a provisional funding of Sh35 million. We are currently engaging with the county government and the community. Other areas we have been engaging in terms of water supply are drought struck, the river would dry up and locals had to dig Kataboi and Nakaalei,” says Johanna. through the sand to look for water, which was unfit for human consumption. Tullow also financed another water project in Lokori. Due to the burgeoning population brought about by constant development To solve the problem, Tullow piped water from a borehole in an in the area, the existing water sources had become stretched. area called AP Line to an elevated tank they installed in Lokori Town. “We used to fetch water from the River Kerio. But since “Lokori has seven villages. The the tank was installed, people here can easily access water. water wells that were sunk by the Health and sanitation has also improved says Robert Itaok, county government and a local another resident. church could not sustain demand,” 11 says Mary Loiba, a local. And because Tullow Oil believes in sustainable solutions, Number of villages the company also dug a borehole to pipe more water to the Additionally, people here also that have access to tank. “We drilled a borehole which is close to River Kerio. But depended on the nearby River piped water from the it’s capped; it’s not in use. We shall be handing it over to the Kerio. The water was not safe for borehole Government of Turkana County,” says David Ndago, Tullow’s human consumption. Besides, when Water Management Supervisor.

22 23 mido Robello readily admits that taking care of some 300 students in a boarding school is never an Aeasy task, even under the best of circumstances. 2014 But when a school is located in a semi- arid area that suffers crippling and perennial water shortage, a school head will always be treading on the edge of Year when Oxfam and Tullow Oil disaster. revived the Kataboi Community Water Project “When you don’t have enough running water in the school, it means students have to walk for several kilometres to fetch water for cooking, bathing and for general cleaning,” says the principal of Kataboi Girls High School in Turkana North, Turkana County. This is where her worries begin. First, as an educator, the school hours lost as students go in search of water sits heavily Kataboi Water Project technician Steven 68 Imo at the borehole sunk by Tullow Oil. on her mind because this will have a direct impact on their performance. Water outlets from where residents of Kataboi can access life we had always known - digging for Secondly, the area is prone to insecurity water water in dry riverbeds or walking to Lake and whenever the girls venture out of the Turkana,” says Mr Lokuno. school, they have to be accompanied by the school watchmen. The project was revived in 2014 by Tullow Kenya and Oxfam. The two firms provided “It is a nail biting experience for teachers. funds to drill a borehole and for the In an area with many guns in the wrong 6,000 installation of solar panels to power the WITH CLEAN WATER, hands, you can never relax until the pump. The new pump hummed into life in girls are safely back in school,” says Ms Number of residents who now October 2014. Today, there are 68 water Robello. have access to piped borehole outlets and every home has access to tap This has been her experience for many water water within 500 metres. THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR years until the Kataboi Community Water “About 6,000 members of the community Project, which was jointly funded by are benefiting from the project. Besides Tullow Kenya and Oxfam, was completed. water for domestic use, some residents Kataboi Girls is one the many institutions are growing vegetables in kitchen that have benefited from the water “Government gardens which is improving nutrition for project. “Now that we have sufficient withdrew their families,” says Lokuno. water for our needs, the girls can concentrate on their studies and support and the For residents of Kataboi performance is improving,” says Ms village, having clean Robello. project failed. water just outside their The project has been a game-changer We went back to for the Kataboi community too. But it has homes and schools been a long journey that has seen efforts the life we had means students can by government and NGOs to keep the project alive come to a screeching halt for always known - concentrate on learning various reasons. digging for water and herders don’t have Flex Lokuno, the chairman of Kataboi to move out in search of Water Users Association, recalls that the in dry riverbeds project that was started in the early 1980s water which lessens the by the national government, collapsed or walking to Lake chance of conflicts before the end of that decade due to lack Turkana” of funding. “Government withdrew their support and - Mr Lokuno the project stalled. We went back to the

24 25 “A delivery room requires lots of running water not just to bath the mothers and their babies but also to clean the hospital and equipment. Without running water, the delivery room becomes unhygienic, which is a recipe for disaster,” Mercy. Given the state of affairs at the maternity room, expectant mothers opted for unskilled deliveries at home. This exposed mothers to life threatening situations whenever complications occurred during child birth. “To make matters worse, this is an area with a poor road network and poor mobile network and a mother “With the Tullow project in distress has little hope of getting evacuated for emergency medical serving the community intervention,” Mercy says. adequately, herders from Kataboi Girls Secondary School Principal Omaido Robella with some of the students in class. When the Kataboi Water Project Kataboi no longer need became operational in 2014, everything changed. Mercy recalls that when news For Stephen Imo, a plumber, the project When the project was revived, Imo to move their animals about the clean and hygienic maternity is a double blessing. Like his village was the candidate of choice for the room went out, expectant mothers in search water. This mates, he is not only enjoying clean water technician’s job. His job is to service started trickling in. The benefits are but he is also the technician hired by the the pump, repair the piping system and means potential sources numerous. community to maintain the pump. oversee water distribution. With a steady monthly income, he says, his quality of “Today, even expectant mothers from of conflict are avoided. “After primary school, I joined a BOREHOLE THAT life and that of his family is much better. the neighbouring community deliver at polytechnic where I trained in plumbing. this facility. Child mortality has gone -Daniel Ngugi, Assistant Unfortunately, I couldn’t find plumbing In an area where conflicts over natural REVIVED HOSPITAL down and our indicators are positive,” jobs within the community because resources are always on the cards, the County Commissioner she says. without piped water my skills were not Kataboi Water Project has brought relief required,” he says. to security chiefs. FROM ITS DEATHBED She adds that access to running water has also reduced pressure on the “The economy of this community revolves health facility because more people around livestock farming. When water is ven as she settles down for the availability of running water can are embracing hand washing and scarce, herders keep on moving further interview, it is clear that Mercy dramatically change service delivery at drinking clean water which has reduced and further in search of water. If they Koech is in a hurry. She answers a health facility in a matter of months,” incidences of water-borne diseases move into areas where they will be questions in rapid fire respons- she says, her face lighting up as she E such as diarrhea and cholera. regarded as intruders, a confrontation es with surreptitious glances at her narrates how a Tullow Oil funded water can turn bloody,” says Daniel Ngugi, the watch every now and then. Her mind is project has transitioned the dispensary “Hand washing is critical to the health assistant county commissioner. obviously on the patients she should be into an oasis of hope for expectant of the community. For instance, a single attending to. mothers. case of cholera can put the entire He says with the Tullow project serving It is only when she begins to talk about community at risk. We haven’t had any the community adequately, herders from She recalls the hazards of trying to hospital deliveries that she relaxes and scares for some time now,” the clinical Kataboi no longer need to move their provide maternity care without clean becomes animated about her work at officer says, adding that access to animals in search of water. This in turn running water. It meant that hospital this facility inTurkana North, Turkana water has had a positive impact on staff means potential sources of conflict are personnel would have to cajole the local County. morale. avoided. community to go out and draw water What really excites her is the increased either from dry river beds or Lake “When your staff are comfortable, they Ngugi adds that with the availability number of mothers coming to deliver at Turkana, which is kilometres away. are likely to step up service delivery of water, people have more time to the facility and the fact that in the last And whereas there were always which has happened here. We are concentrate on other economic pursuits, one year, Kataboi Dispensary, where members of the community willing grateful to Tullow Oil for assisting school enrolment has increased and she is the clinical officer, hasn’t lost a to assist, the dispensary lacked a us to meet the expectations of the school performance has improved. baby or a mother during delivery. reservoir where the water could be community,” she concludes. “People may never realise it, but decontaminated at a single point.

26 27 “We have the GIVING LOCALS SKILLS skills to run this project IN OIL DRILLING without supervision Residents of Turkana are being trained in skilled labour to work in Tullow Oil rigs, thereby increasing participation of the community because of the training,” ith dark sunglasses, brown “Tullow is doing more “I boarded an aeroplane for the first time - Jairus Lobuin leather boots, orange when I was 31. I’ve never felt so excited,” overalls and a white safety than employing locals. he said. helmet, Jairus Lobuin is the W They are involved in all Along with Jairus on this journey was embodiment of the no-nonsense work Eric Meya, another production operator. environment that values safety highly. facets of the community: He too was born and raised in Lodwar. He works as a production operator at the they have built health He previously worked as a roustabout (an Ngamia Eight well site, and it’s hard to unskilled laborer, especially on an oil- imagine that in 2017, he was whiling away and education centres drilling rig) with Marriot Drilling Group in time in Lokichar Town, jobless and broke. and contributed to Ekales Three, an oil well in the Lokichar Basin. “When Tullow Oil started operations in Turkana, they contracted a firm called the growth of local “Because I was green, this role involved New Port Africa to provide security. I was businesses ” a lot of on-job training. I did not mind hired as a radio operator in October 2012 because I had always wanted to work in and was dispatched to Ngamia One well - Eric Meya an oil field,” he said. site,” he recalls. “In August 2017, my contract ended. Unfortunately, in 2015, Jairus, his was centered around rigs and other I later joined Al Mansoori through a colleagues and staff in other firms were equipment used in mining oil. Although local outsourcing firm called Amailo rendered redundant when Tullow began I had no prior experience, I had read Investments Company. We were installing scaling down operations in drill sites widely,” he said. equipment like rigs on well sites.” Nassir Sulaiman, the Al Mansoori Project because globally, oil prices had slumped. Out of 58 interviewees, Jairus was among Later, his supervisor, Nasser Sulaiman, Supervisor in Kenya. “I was jobless for two years until I saw the nine candidates who were picked. encouraged him to apply for the an advertisement at Tullow’s offices in After a month, he was told that his name production operator’s position. Like As for Nassir, he enjoys working in Lokichar. A company called Al Mansoori was on Tullow’s notice boards in Lokori, Jairus, he did so in December 2017, went Turkana County and working with locals. was looking to hire production operators. Lokichar, Nakukulas and Lodwar. for an interview and was among those “The locals are hardworking, responsible and friendly. Our head HR manager will It was December 2017. I applied and after “I couldn’t believe the news and had to who were shortlisted. be coming soon. He wants the team to one month, I was called for an interview see it for myself. I rushed to Lokichar “We joined Al Mansoori on March 12, 2018 sign new two-year contracts because the in Lokichar Town,” he said. and indeed my name was among the and later flew to the UAE for specialized current ones, that were six months long, successful candidates. After two years Although he possessed the needed training between May 17 and June 14th” have lapsed.” qualifications, he felt he needed blessing of unemployment, this was a huge say Eric. from his grandmother. So on the day of blessing,” he says. Since Tullow is digging more wells, Nassir In Abu Dhabi, they were taken to Oil for encouraging other contracted The duo and their colleagues are looking says that there are plans to hire more the interview, Jairus passed by her house Through a partnership with Tullow, Al refineries and sites where on and off companies to partner, train and work with forward to more specialized training for locals. “There are plans by Tullow to drill to get a blessing. Mansoori absorbed the nine locals and shore drilling is conducted. locals. two weeks in Egypt from January 2019. 300 more wells. That means we’ll have took them for training. They started “She asked me to get her tobacco. She to bring in more equipment, meaning out in Kapese. Here, they were taken “After that exposure, we now have “Tullow is doing more than employing “They will train in sampling, testing and scooped it and then applied it on my legs, we’ll offer training to locals who we shall through a three-day training on safety. the skills to run this project without locals. They are involved in all facets of production of oil. They’ll travel to Egypt hands and then told me to apply the rest eventually hire,” he said. They were later taken to Abu Dhabi in the supervision,” a confident Jairus says. the community: they have built health and in batches of two. We want production to on my face,” he recalls. education centres and contributed to the commence on the Ngamia III well. That United Arab Emirates (UAE) for advanced Jairus and Eric are thankful to Tullow The interview was oral and written. “It technical training. growth of local businesses,” says Eric. is why we have to upskill them,” says

28 29 GROWING LIVELIHOODS “During training, we emphasize the need for registering businesses. THROUGH BUSINESS INCUBATION This is because, if a large company Tullow and its partners are training business owners about the various was to come looking to partner business stages to help their enterprises grow with local businesses, they would insist on working with registered ngeline Ereng’ makes a grand The resource centre University, he interned with the Turkana entrance at the Tullow Resource County Government’s Department enterprises,” Center in Lokichar on her is well equipped and of Communication before joining Amotorcycle. A year ago, she training lessons are Technoserve in November 2017. - Elphaz Ekitui did not know how to ride let alone own He underwent a three-day training in one. Life took a turn for the best after offered for free. The entrepreneurship, leadership, writing the 25-year-old, undertook a business business plans, understanding clients, and entrepreneurship course offered by trainees come to the merchandising, supply chain and finance Technoserve, an organization contracted Although he works alone, Elphaz says training his wife. She now runs their shop resource centre for the management, record keeping and by Tullow Oil to train locals in Turkana he enjoys seeing people growing their when he’s running other errands. licensing of businesses. businesses, helping themselves and County. three-hour lessons on “I am the chairperson of a youth group Elphaz Ekitui, business counselor at Technoserve. With that, he was empowered to impart others. He’s thankful to Tullow for Since graduating in 2017, the widowed Tuesday mornings” called Lokichar Huduma Sacco. We are the lessons learnt to locals keen on creating the opportunity and space to mother of four has been applying the 1,350 members and we meet once a - Mr Ekitui, a Trainer of starting a business or those who needed impact change. lessons she learnt at the training. “We month. It was started in February 2017.” to grow their businesses. “The resource centre is well equipped were taught how to keep records, order Trainees At every meeting, Moses talks to for stock, communicate with customers, “The trainees come to the resource and training lessons are offered for free,” to ferry goods around Lokichar. She is members about entrepreneurship and save and generally, how to sustain a centre for the three-hour lessons on he says. happy that she’s been able to meet her being self-reliant instead of seeking business,” she says. Tuesday mornings. Apart from training, family’s needs. But for one to take part in the training, employment. there is also mentorship which involves To put what she learnt into practice, she one has to have a registered business. At the heart of the training programme me visiting their businesses. I advise “Members have started taking loans at an opened Mama Akidor Shop in Town Chini, is Elphaz Ekitui, a trainer of trainees. them on how they can improve and also “During training, we emphasize on the interest of one percent per month from a village near Lokichar Town. She sells (ToT). After graduating with Diploma get to answer any questions they might need to register businesses. This is the Sacco to either start businesses or to cereals and ornaments. in Public Relations from Kisii have,” says Elphaz. because, if a large company was to come replenish their stock. None of them has She says she approached entrepreneurs looking to partner with local businesses, ever defaulted,” he says. they would insist on working with with similar enterprises and they agreed Another beneficiary of the training is registered enterprises,” says Elphaz. to joining hands to buy stock from Regina Lokuno, 50. With multi-colored suppliers in bulk. The students receive certificates after necklaces adorning her neck and a “Instead of each person ordering for three months. At the moment, there are pronounced gap in her teeth. She started goods individually, we decided to do it 25 entrepreneurs attending the training. her business in 2013 and named it together. By approaching suppliers as a The number could be higher, but some of Eng’orok Investments. Like Angeline, she group, we got better prices,” she says. the trainees are nomads. too sells cereals. However, her business was barely making any profits until she “Sometimes they attend and sometimes To further cut costs, the group decided to received the training in 2017. nominate one person who would travel they do not since they move around a lot. to Chepereria and Ortum, both in West It is also encouraging that most trainees “I was taught how to source for markets Pokot and Kitale to buy stock. are women. A number of men feel that for my goods, how to talk to my starting businesses is not part of their customers, record keeping and many “After contributing, we would hire a tradition, so they leave it to women. But other important lessons,” she says. vehicle and then have all members list we have been slowly sensitising them to The mother of seven has never stepped down the products they need. One person change,” he says. would go to the market, buy the goods, into a classroom. “I am looking for and redistribute to each of us,” she says. Moses Lokiles is the exception. He owns someone who can help me learn how to a shop and is in the process of registering read and write.” Even with this challenge, Proceeds from her cereals shop enabled his business. at least the training has helped her learn her purchase a motorbike. When she is the ropes of running a business. not using it as a boda boda, she uses it Angeline Ereng’ With the nuggets of wisdom that he’s getting from Techoserve, Moses started Regina Ekai

30 31 ENVIROMENTAL RESTORATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

400 Number of indigenous trees planted at the Emong site

4 Sites that Tullow has identified for restoration in 2019. These include Ekosowan, Etiir, Agete Two and Ekales Three

32 33 RECLAIMING OIL SITES IN TURKANA After extraction, a team of biologists and environmentalists move in to restore the land to its former state by planting indigenous trees

ong before the rigs were set up extremely sensitive on the surface. in the different parts of Turkana where Tullow Oil operates, planes “For the Emong’ site, directional drilling Lfitted with special equipment did not take place,” he says. flew over the land, tracing the presence For Emong, the investment did not make of sedimentary rocks and valuable a return as there was no oil to be found, hydrocarbons. prompting the team to start clearing With the land delineated, teams went out. They plugged the drilled hole using to the identified sites to do the seismic cement and removed all equipment from 400 the site. From there, the environmental studies that would give the surveyors a good idea of where to drill for oil. Number of trees planted in Emong area, team stepped in to restore the site. which Tullow Oil is rehabilitating. But what happens when all this opening For this, they engaged a local community up of the earth and the trampling of the based organization called Apei based environment yields nothing of substance? in Lokichar Town. The group primarily plants trees for sale and the Tullow Oil That is where Peter Muriuki, the safeguarding the environment and also team told them they wanted to plant environment advisor at Tullow Oil, steps to making sure we are compliant with indigenous trees. in. His job entails converting the scarred national and county laws and regulations, land back to a state as close as possible particularly the environmental aspect,” Working together, environmentalists from to the one before the oil company set foot he explains. Tullow and the CBO studied the area and came up with a plan to plant 400 trees. “Our aim there. Muriuki and his crew get involved when At places like Emong, the immense tawny the sub-surface team identifies a possible “We decided to plant trees by utilizing a is to purely plain of wind-combed grass, flat-topped drill site. two-by-two metre spacing method. This would be enough for Emong’s 10 acres.” thorny trees and rusty, rugged rocks is “This team studies the environmental stick to our breathtaking. and social perspectives of the area. For Muriuki did a survey to determine the type of trees to plant. From there, the team The beauty of the table-flat landscape instance, the team has the mandate restored, people are free to move in or environmental commitment by restoring environmental from Tullow and Apei planted indigenous makes one momentarily forget about of recording data like the number of graze their livestock. former well sites the way we found tree species like Ebei, Edome, Etiir, Ewoi, the scorching heat that defines Turkana people who live in the area, what kind them.” commitment by County. What visitors would find of environment is here, the number of Ekalale, Emayan, Edapal and Ekunoit. For the pastoralist Turkana community, trees are an integral part of the The restoration programme will be astonishing about this slice of outdoor trees in the area of interest and also, if Apei was tasked with approaching the environment. Not only do they provide replicated in other former sites starting restoring former paradise is that it was once a Tullow Oil there are any endangered species in the locals who reside near the site. They gave food and shade to their livestock, they are in 2019. well site. location. The latter exercise is conducted them the job of digging the holes and by biologists. If the species is fully also a source of firewood. well sites the Emong has undergone what Muriuki planting of the trees. Already, four of these locations have been dependent on the identified environment “There is also another major benefit. identified. Since Tullow also has a firm refers to as ‘Plug and Abandon’ “We watered the trees four times a week. for survival, the whole operation will be When there is drought, the Ewoi tree belief in partnering with locals, Apei has way we found programme through which abandoned Say, if we watered today, we would skip abandoned,” he said. produces nuts that are ground by the already been notified and will come on drill fields are reinstated to their former tomorrow. We worked with the CBO community into flour. They use it to make board once the exercise kicks off. them.” states. Sometimes, though, directional because they understand the environment drilling (practice of controlling the ugali. The nuts are referred to as Ng’itet.” Muriuki works with Tullow’s EHS - better. But anyway, we stopped watering “The sites are Ekosowan, Etiir, Agete Two direction and deviation of a wellbore to - Peter Muriuki the Environment, Health and Safety them when the rains started,” said Tullow does not draw any financial and Ekales Three.” a predetermined underground target department. Muriuki. benefits from restoration. or location) is carried out. This usually “The company is committed to happens when there is something According to him, once the area is fully “Our aim is to purely stick to our

34 35 USING DRAMA TO PASS ON THE MESSAGE Tullow has contracted a drama group which re-enacts the messages that the oil company wants to communicate to the community

“We have also worked with World eated in a thatched-roof gazebo enacted a number of plays touching Vision to pass messages on HIV and in the Lokori Community Centre on different thematic areas. By using other health issues like sanitation grounds, visitors are usually easily gestures, props and local language, “I am grateful for and cleanliness which helped lower startled when their discussions Loyifam has become a popular way of S passing messages to the locals. cases of cholera and diarrhea. We also the development are disrupted by protesting youth carrying talked about peace and cohesion, the twigs showing up at the gates. in Lokori. We now “If Tullow wants to advertise for jobs in importance of education and informed Clarrison Ing’olan responds to the catering, drivers or even inform people learners in different schools about their have more schools, concerns with a smile that creases his about trucks that will be passing through rights,” he says. weather-beaten face, and an explanation: Lokori, they use Loyifam to pass on internet, water and He says even after World Vision left the “What you are witnessing is a skit being the message. The plays work because area, the group still carries out these jobs ” enacted by Loyifam, a theater group they are a form of entertainment. The activities. They have extended these based here in Lokori. Loyifam stands for residents are also able to relate to what’s services to far-flung places of Turkana Lokori Youth Interdenominational Faith being dramatized.” areas of the vast county because it works - Stephen Lepapa County like Lokitang. Ministry.” Clarrison saw the need for such a group and also provides employment and Stephen says that when Tullow came, exposure to youth. Clarrison, who is the Tullow because of the disruptions that used to they were able to use plays as a Communications Coordinator in Lokori, happen at Tullow’s camps. According “Anyone can become a member as long communication tool that would tackle says that the group enacts any activity to the former primary school teacher, as he or she is disciplined,” Stephen says. community grievances. that Tullow Oil wants to undertake. For residents, especially youth, used to go to Stephen is currently pursing a Diploma in instance, if the company wants to start the camps and forcefully demand for jobs. “For example, instead of everyone Human Resource Management course at drilling in the surrounding area, they will going to the camp to complain about “They used to see vehicles coming and Kibabii University, Bungoma County. He relay the information to Clarrison weeks something like unemployment, we are going from the enclosed sites. Besides, uses Tullow’s Lokori Community Center before the drilling exercise. asked to perform a skit around the topic they were curious since the drilling areas to study for his online course. of communication. Through the skit, we He then informs the group who imitate were always a beehive of activity and they embed a message about how Tullow Oil “I started in 2016. I’ll be graduating in the exercise (in this case drilling) that will had no idea what was going on,” he says. has built a resource centre where they December 2018.” be undertaken by Tullow Oil in the form of “But, since we engaged the group, the can take their complaints,” he says. a short play. disruptions stopped because the locals Throughout that period, he’s been using The partnership has been a game- the Centre, which has computers and hi- “The skits run for between 10 to 15 became aware of what was happening at changer. For their effort, the thespians speed internet, to access his assignments minutes. By performing to audiences in the camps,” says Clarisson. are paid KSh2,000 for every performance. and exam results. churches, schools and village barazas, Stephen Lepapa is the chairperson of the youth group is able to communicate to Loyifam. According to the 32-year-old, Cathy Akaiyeteri, 20, is one of them. “The “I am grateful for the development that the community what will be taking place the group does not only perform skits, money helps me meet my basic needs,” Tullow has brought to Lokori. We now at the Tullow Camp,” he says. but also spreads the gospel around the she said. have more schools, internet, water and jobs,” he said. Started in 2015, the 15-member (three community and sensitises the locals Loyifam members are hoping to replicate women and 12 men) theatre group has about hygiene. this mode of communication in other

36 37 “The most affected are the pastoralists GRIEVANCE RESOLUTION: who graze their animals in far- WE PAY LIKE FOR LIKE flung areas and

Tullow has established a grievance resolution mechanism to ensure that the hence do not get the company responds and resolves any issues that the community might raise message. Of note is that we never pay in cash. We pay like for he cycle of activities in Joseph Nakweei Lokamar’s household is like” predictable. Every morning, one of Since they went This children is tasked with taking to the trouble of - Noah Lokamar the family’s cattle to graze. One day in August 2018, one cow in his contacting me herd of five did not return in the evening and in a community where livestock and were willing is valued, that was an unprecedented “We register, handle and investigate who graze their animals in far-flung 2015, almost everyone knew about the disaster. to reimburse me incidents, manage grievances and areas and hence do not get the message,” grievances office. This is also the time When Lokamar was informed of the compensate people who have strong he says. when the drilling rigs were reduced; cases that qualify for compensation,“says hence contractors were scaling down missing animal, he stopped whatever he for something Apart from livestock, other grievances Noah. their workforce. There were many was doing and rushed home. include complaints about employment complaints; people were demanding that was not their They have handled numerous cases at Tullow, contractor payments and “I joined the others in looking for the payments and benefits. They also wanted especially related to livestock. pollution. animal. But darkness set in, we had to fault, we came to know why there was no more work. continue the next day,” he said. “For instance, if a Tullow vehicle knocks “For pollution, we do not pay. We just The rigs were being demobilized and Later that evening, he received a call. to an agreement. down a goat, we register a grievance, take steps to remedy the situation. For contractors were also reducing their investigate first to determine the validity example, if there’s odour emanating workforce,” says Noah. “People who work at Tullow’s Etom One of the matter. We then compensate the from drill sites, we do dosing (pouring I accepted their Because of the sensitive nature of the Well had stumbled upon the carcass of claimant with a goat (Like for Like) if chemicals) to get rid of the smell,” Noah issue, the Grievances Office escalated my cow. Lochwa is a place where people he/she has all the reason to warrant says. offer” the issue to the Grievances Committee in know each other. This means the news of compensation. This process takes two to He says the grievances process may Nairobi. They involved other stakeholders the disappearance had been shared,” he three days,” he says. said. - Joseph Nakweei take three days to a month. However, like the County Government of Turkana, To ensure efficiency, the grievances team Daniel Omondi’s - a driver with Tullow - local leaders, the Ministry of Labour It turns out, Joseph’s cow had passed works with the Environment Health and complaint was settled in three hours. and the Ministry of Energy. After that the cow died after ingesting plastic issues and/or complaints from the local through an opening in Etom One’s fence Safety (EHS) Department and the Asset deliberations, the discussion culminated material. community and stakeholders. “It was in December 2017. The contractor and died while inside the compound. Protection Team. had not paid my December salary. I in the Eldoret Agreement of 2015. Then began the process of compensation. “I asked for 10 cows as compensation. When he got to the scene, Joseph sought “We investigate if there was negligence launched my complaint at 7:30am. By “The Agreement meant that we had to The process was initiated by Noah However, Tullow said that they could for information from those present, but on the owner’s part to ensure people 9:30am, my salary had been paid,” says pay the redundancy package to staff who Lokamar the grievance officer by doing a only pay one cow. Since they went to the no one knew what had caused the death. do not lodge false claims. Such due Omondi. had worked for certain periods of time. formal grievance registration, later while trouble of contacting me and were willing diligence has ensured 95% success rate,” Not everyone was paid,” he says. Although he was angry, he was happy on his off- rotation, his colleague Mr. to reimburse me for something that was In Lokichar, the grievance office has files says Noah. that Tullow Oil employees had gone to the Jonah Namulen (Grievance officer) came not their fault, we came to an agreement. for resolved grievances from 2014 to But when does an issue become trouble of finding out who the owner of in and picked the matter for investigation I accepted their offer,” says Joseph. However, to avert all this, the teams- 2018. In 2015, the cases had risen from sensitive? According to Noah, “a the animal was. Moreover, the company and closure with support from the FSEOS and Communication ensure they 24 in 2014 to 259 the following year. grievance is deemed sensitive when the Joseph was previously a Village had engaged veterinarians from the stakeholder engagement officers (Vivian communicate all of Tullow’s upcoming issue halts or threatens to stop Tullow’s Socialization Officer (VSO) on behalf of “Tullow was just starting out drilling county government to determine the Lotomei and Maurice Emman). projects to the communities through operations and or if a complaint or Tullow for six months. His role included in 2014, so people didn’t know about cause of death. elders and chiefs. complaints costs the company significant The grievance management department relaying any developments that Tullow grievance resolution because we had not amount of money,” he added. After investigations, they determined was established to handle, among others, wanted to communicate to the locals. “The most affected are the pastoralists done many awareness sessions. But in

38 39 Ekosowan Security started their Mathew Nadiko Ekaram, from Lokichar, operations in Lodwar Town. With the has also benefited from employment. He founders’ experience in the military and is now a supervisor at the Kapese Camp. the diligence and work ethic that comes “My duties include reporting incidents, with it, they bid for and won contracts to deployment, inspection and supervision guard private and public places. of guards,” he says. Among their initial contracts were He too started working for K.K Security, guarding the governor’s residence, in October 2013. He can now comfortably the Turkana County Government take care of his wife and three children headquarters and commercial entities and assist members of his extended like hotels. family. They thus began to build a network and Ekosowan has also won over other develop their experience while increasing clients. Currently, they are guarding the their manpower. facilities of some NGOs operating in the An even bigger opportunity would come County. about later, when Tullow Oil announced Calistus oversees 117 staff. “These are plans to hire a local security company in five drivers and 112 security personnel line with its policy to provide jobs to local who are guarding 10 oil fields including contractors. Tullow’s offices,” he says. “When they were starting out, Tullow’s At the moment, Ekosowan is undergoing security was being provided by New Port “I am happy auditing for ISO certification. Captain Africa, between 2012 and 2013. Then K.K working here Mermug is confident they shall be ISO Security took over from 2013 to 2018,” certified by 2020. says Calistus. because the pay “Tullow is an international company KK Security is a national company but that demands international standards. Tullow was also keen on developing local is good. This means we have had to fine tune our content and building capacity. Ekosowan services to global standards. Through emerged the best of 15 local companies. - Salome Loupe our experience with Tullow, we can now “It was a competitive process. But we had provide services to clients both in the an edge over the other bidders because local and international market,” he says. GUARDING increase their staff by over 200. It also of our experience and understanding of security issues in Turkana,” says Captain provided the company with an additional (Retired) Jonathan Meirmug. revenue stream, which was vital for its OUR FUTURE expansion. Ekosowan officially took over from K.K “We also sub-contracted another A security firm that is made up of retired army chiefs provides Security in April 2018. But there was a caveat: “The only requirement was that local company to help us provide the security to Tullow offices and guards 10 oil fields we partner with a company that had required services. In this respect, national or international experience. we are empowering others. This As such, we brought back K.K Security kind of engagement helps to create isitors unfamiliar with military Their shift has just ended. “Our Group,” says Captain Meirmug. employment and provide stable incomes language are bound to get puzzled organization values discipline,” he says. for individuals, their families and the when Calistus Ekiru announces Given that K.K Security Group was an community,” says Captain Meirmug. Calistus was one of seven like-minded with aplomb, “The change-over established organisation, it was resolved V individuals who got together in 2014 to that they would handle our payroll, and One of the individuals who have gained takes place at 1600 hours.” establish Ekosowan, which is what the provision of guard uniforms and office from such employment is Salome Capt Rtd Jonathan Merimuc, Operations Manager The guard force commander at Ekosowan Turkana call a buffalo. furniture. “This joint venture with K.K Loupe, a local. Having previously worked Security Services Limited usually asks Ekosowan Security Services. with K.K Security since 2014, she was They hoped to provide private security Security will end after two years,” says visitors to witness the exercise. Calistus. absorbed by Ekosowan after the local services in Turkana County and to take emerging from the investments made in company took over security services. Not one to waste even a single second, advantage of the new opportunities the oil and gas industry. Additionally, K.K Security also aids Calistus arrives at the main gate of Ekosowan in training guards. “We have “I am happy working here because the “We had professionals who had worked Tullow’s Kapese Camp at the stated time. our own training grounds in Lodwar but pay is competitive. Besides, I appreciate in the military. These are the likes of we take the recruits to KK Security’s the three-watch-system we have. This is He watches keenly as the guards stand in Colonel Lojore, the CEO, Retired Captain 2018 facility in Nairobi County.” where we work 10 days at night, 10 days line and proceed to perform a traditional Merimug, the Operations Manager, and during the day and then have 10 days and mandatory marching drill. The year Ekosowan officially took over Retired Inspector Nicholas Ekai, the As for winning the Tullow Oil contract, off in a month. Also, if I feel unwell, I’ll from KK Security. After they are done, he has a short Director. They are based in Lodwar,” says Captain Meirmug said it was a god-sent attend the camp’s clinic and get treated Calistus Ekiru of Ekosowan Security. discussion and then dismisses them. Calistus. opportunity because they were able to at no cost,” says Ms Loupe.

40 41 42 43 Tullow Kenya B.V Westend Towers, 7th Floor Westlands Office Park, Off Waiyaki Way P.O. Box 63298-00619 Nairobi +254 (0) 20 428 6000 Email: [email protected]

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