Conservancies, Conflict and Dispossession: The Winners and Losers of Oil Exploration in Turkana, Kenya

Oil exploration in the Turkana region of Kenya, framed as essential for economic growth, disproportionately benefits local elites and foreign investors while exacerbating inequality and marginalization among pastoralist communities. This study reveals that alliances between local elites and international investors facilitate unjust displacement, potentially leading to violent consequences. Using longitudinal ethnographic research, Mkutu and Mdee analyze the dynamics of local government, oil exploration, and pastoralist livelihoods in Turkana. Their findings highlight the complex interplay between economic development narratives and social justice, underscoring the need for equitable policies to mitigate adverse impacts on vulnerable populations.

Mkutu, K., & Mdee, A. (2020). Conservancies, Conflict and Dispossession: The Winners and Losers of Oil Exploration in Turkana, Kenya. African Studies Review, 63(4), 831–857. https://doi.org/10.1017/asr.2020.2