PLANS UNDERWAY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ELDORET- KAMPALA-KIGALI PIPELINE FOR REFINED PETROLEUM OIL PRODUCTS
The Governments of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan, are in the process of constructing a Refined Petroleum Products Pipeline from Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali, to ease and facilitate the transportation of refined petroleum products from the Western Kenya seamlessly, faster and in an environmentally friendly manner.
Principal Secretary for Petroleum Mr. Mohamed Liban has said that once the project is complete, it will foster sustainable development, economic integration and prosperity for the region, as well as set a strong foundation for future generations.
The PS was speaking in Entebbe Uganda, during a joint ministerial meeting for the Northern Corridor Integration Projects with representatives from the partner states, led by Uganda Minister for State for Energy Hon. Okaasai Sidronius, Rwanda High Commission, Charge de affairs Ismael Baguma among others.
PS Liban noted that the Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali pipeline project for Refined Petroleum Products Pipeline Development Cluster under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) conceptualized in 1995 remains vital to addressing challenges of loading refined petroleum products on trucks.
The PS recalled that in 2013, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda entered into a tripartite agreement to develop this pipeline under the NCIP framework and during the inaugural Tripartite Infrastructure Summit, it was agreed that a common refined petroleum products pipeline was critical for serving the region's energy needs.
He said that the petroleum products are imported and. Discharged at the Port of Mombasa where it is transported by pipeline from Mombasa to the hinterland up to western Kenya where the product is loaded on trucks for distribution to the local markets in Kenya and the region including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the DR Congo by Oil Marketing Companies (OMC), The use of trucks is not ideal given its effects on the environment, while trucks are prone to accidents and spillages.
“During the 14th Heads of States Summit in June 2018, it was decided that pending consultations on rescoping the EKK Pipeline, Partner States would prioritize developing Lake Victoria Intermodal Transport System (LVITS) ”, the PS said. This entails the construction of oil jetties in Kisumu and Mahathi in Uganda and the rehabilitation of ports to provide alternative and sustainable transport routes for transporting petroleum products,.
“The continued collaboration among Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan illustrates the collective commitment to advancing NCIP initiatives and unlocking the region's economic potential” he added.
“In May 2024, the Partner States revived the discussions on the EKK project. During the first interministerial meeting on the Eldoret—Kampa1a—Kigali (EKK) pipeline held in Nairobi in July 2024, it was agreed that a Joint Steering Committee and a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) on the development of the Eldoret— Kampala-Kigali pipeline be formed”, PS Liban noted.
Rwanda High Commission, Charge de affairs Ismael Baguma, said Rwanda reaffirms its steadfast dedication to the NCIP framework and its critical projects. “We fully recognize their potential to reduce petroleum transportation costs, stable fuel supply, and strengthening energy security. Rwanda stands ready to collaborate with partner states, contributing expertise and resources to overcome challenges and realize our shared goals”, He said.
During the meeting the officials inaugurated the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), issued a Terms of Reference (TOR), and mandate to the JTC to manage the affairs of the project and signed the ministerial report for the Cluster.
The Joint Technical Team, will be instrumental in the planning and execution of the project. They will re-validate the studies undertaken earlier to ensure it reflects current conditions and remains aligned with long-term objectives of the project.
The JTC mandate will also include:
Terms of Reference (ToR) the re-scoping of the Eldoret-Kampala- Kigali Refined Petroleum Product Pipeline;
Draft implementation plan to re-scope the Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali Refined Petroleum Product Pipeline;
Timeframe for re-scoping the Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali Refined Petroleum Product Pipeline;
Re-scoping exercise of the Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali Refined Petroleum Product Pipeline;
Study the new developments concerning construction of the oil jetty and allocation of land by Uganda to Rwanda vis à vis the utilization of Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali (EKK) pipeline and
Develop modalities to promote the uptake of Refined Petroleum Products through Kisumu Oil Jetty (KOJ) to Uganda through Lake Victoria to Mahathi Uganda Limited Oil Jetty.
Ends.