Kenya has invited members of the public to propose a name for its crude oil as the country prepares to begin commercial production and exports from the South Lokichar Basin in Turkana County on December 1, 2026.
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum said the public participation exercise will help establish the commercial identity under which Kenyan crude will be marketed to international buyers. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, according to a government notice. The initiative comes as Kenya moves towards commercialising oil resources discovered in 2012.
President William Ruto reiterated the December export target, signaling the government’s intention to advance the long-delayed project into full-scale production. Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has also told the Senate Standing Committee on Energy that preparations for commercial production are progressing following parliamentary approval of the South Lokichar Field Development Plan earlier this year.
Gulf Energy E&P BV, which is leading the development, is responsible for advancing the oil fields towards commercial operations. In February 2026, the company secured an onshore drilling rig from the United Arab Emirates-based Great Wall Drilling Company under a long-term lease agreement, with drilling initially scheduled to begin in July.
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Targeting international markets
The naming campaign is intended to give Kenya a recognisable crude oil grade in international petroleum markets. Established crude grades such as Brent from the United Kingdom, Murban from the United Arab Emirates and Bonny Light from Nigeria demonstrate how distinctive names are used in cargo documentation, pricing assessments and trading platforms.
The ministry said the selected name should reflect Kenya’s national identity, promote patriotism and remain easy to pronounce and remember across different languages. Proposals must include the suggested name, an explanation of its meaning and suitability, and the submitter’s contact information. The government has also stipulated that submissions should not be associated with individual counties, communities, companies, political movements or religious groups. The proposed name must also be suitable for trademark registration in Kenya and international markets.
Individuals, community groups, institutions, professional organisations and other interested parties can submit their suggestions through the government’s official petroleum website, by email to crudeoilbranding@petroleum.go.ke, or in a sealed envelope marked “Public participation: Naming of Kenya’s crude oil” delivered to the State Department for Petroleum at Kasneb Towers Two.
Beyond the branding exercise, Kenya is pursuing wider energy-sector investments aimed at strengthening domestic supply and expanding infrastructure. The government is implementing mini-grid projects across 14 underserved counties, targeting electricity connections by March 31, 2027, while also planning its first nuclear power plant in Siaya County, with an initial proposed capacity of 2,000 megawatts.
The country is additionally advancing plans for a proposed petroleum refinery and petrochemical complex in Lamu, estimated to cost approximately $15.4 billion, based on the government’s stated value of KSh2 trillion. The planned start of crude exports would mark a significant milestone for Kenya’s petroleum industry, opening a new potential source of export revenue and establishing the country as a crude oil supplier in international markets. However, the December target remains dependent on the completion of development work and the transition to commercial production.
