Tullow responds to alleged employment bias

Last Updated 13 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Tullow Oil, which at the weekend suspended all drilling operations in the country, has hit back at critics of its employment policy saying they have sourced over half of its employees from the Turkana region.

On Monday, the oil explorer said 800 of its 1,400 employees are from the Turkana region adding that it hoped the stalemate would be resolved soon for drilling operations to resume.

The action came after residents of Turkana South and East districts staged protests for alleged failure by Tullow Oil Company to offer them job opportunities and tenders.

Tullow Kenya BV on Sunday made the announcement stating that it has temporarily suspended its operations in oil wells in the region until calm is restored in a statement.

“We take this action seriously and priority at the moment is to ensure the safety and security of our entire local staff, national and expatriate,” read the statement signed by Mercy Kabangi, the company’s corporate affairs adviser.

According to the statement, there have been a number of demonstrations in oil operation sites prompting stoppage of operations.

“Tullow confirms that there have been a number of demonstrations at Tullow operated sites in Northern Kenya regarding local concerns around employment. We are working with the Central and County governments to bring these demonstrations to a peaceful and orderly close as soon as possible,” read the statement.

Additionally: “We have temporarily suspended our operations across Block 10BB and Block 13T in Turkana East and Turkana South sub-counties. The priority at the moment is to ensure the safety and security of our staff.”