Current Volume 9
Abstract
In 2010, the Kenyan Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, in partnership with Tullow Oil Plc, a multinational oil and gas exploration company headquartered in London, announced the discovery of oil in the Lokichar Basin. This study investigates how oil and gas exploration activities, including land acquisition, seismic surveys, drilling operations, and infrastructure development, have affected the livelihoods of communities in the region. Using a cross-sectional survey design, the study collected both qualitative and quantitative data to assess the dual impact of positive and negative effects of these activities on local populations. The sample was drawn from four key villages near oil sites, using Singh and Masuku's (2014) sample determination formula and stratified random sampling. Findings reveal that while oil exploration has introduced economic opportunities such as job creation and improved infrastructure, it has also brought significant disruptions. Notable negative effects include land displacement, inadequate compensation, and environmental degradation. Seismic and drilling activities were found to adversely affect health, education, and traditional livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and pastoralism, posing a threat to long-term community sustainability. The study emphasizes the urgent need for oil exploration projects to adopt sustainable livelihood approaches. These include strengthening community participation in decision-making, ensuring fair and transparent compensation practices, and establishing context-sensitive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. By integrating these strategies, stakeholders can better align development objectives with community resilience and well-being. Ultimately, this research contributes valuable insights for policymakers, oil companies, and development practitioners striving to balance economic development with social equity and environmental stewardship in resource-rich but marginalized regions.
Keywords
Oil Exploration, Livelihoods, Land Acquisition, Lokichar Basin, Sustainable Approaches, Community Resilience, Economic Impact JEL: O11, O15, I22
Citations
IRE Journals:
John Ebei , Dr. Tioko Logiron PhD , Dr. Jared Okello PhD
"Impacts of Infrastructural Development Activities on Livelihoods in The Lokichar Basin" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 8 Issue 11 2025 Page 1657-1669
IEEE:
John Ebei , Dr. Tioko Logiron PhD , Dr. Jared Okello PhD
"Impacts of Infrastructural Development Activities on Livelihoods in The Lokichar Basin" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 8(11)
About IRE Journals
IRE Journals is an open access online journals established with an aim to publish high quality of research work in various diciplines. We have more than 6 years in publications. Over 2500+ papers already published.
Important Links
For Authors
Volume 9:
Issue 1Volume 8:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 7:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 6:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 5:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 4:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 3:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12