Kenya's Licensing Rounds

On 12 October 2012, former Energy Minister Kiratu Murungi announced that Kenya would auction six exploration blocks by the end of 2012. However, media reports indicate that this licensing round has not taken place as of November 2013. While the Ministry of Energy announced in September 2013 once again that the government would release seven oil blocks totalling 30,000 m2 in the Marsabit, Lamu, and Turkana exploration basins, the E&P Magazine wrote on 18 October 2013 that "hopes of Kenya holding an oil licensing round in 2013 have fizzled out."

The draft Energy Bill suggests competitive bidding, after exploration rights were previously issued on a first-come, first-served basis. However, as the legistlative process for the new draft bill is still underway, it is unlikely that parliament will pass the bill before early 2014.

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