Kenya and Uganda have initiated discussions on extending the petroleum products pipeline from Eldoret to Kampala, a move poised to significantly impact the region’s fuel import market. The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) announced the development on Tuesday, marking a strategic collaboration between the two East African nations.
Key Meetings and Discussions
Uganda’s Energy Minister, Ruth Ssentamu, recently met with senior officials in Kenya’s Energy Ministry, including Principal Secretary Mohammed Liban. Their discussions were followed by a tour of the KPC headquarters in Nairobi. This visit was crucial for planning and preparing for the pipeline extension project, as well as understanding the operations, infrastructure, and human capacity of Kenya Pipeline.
Pipeline Extension Plans
The planned extension will see Kenya constructing a multi-product pipeline from Eldoret to the Kenya-Uganda border town of Malaba, approximately 127 kilometers from Eldoret. Uganda will, in turn, build a connecting line from Malaba to the capital city, Kampala, covering about 236 kilometers. Future expansion plans include extending the pipeline to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
“This extension of the pipeline to Uganda is a strategic move for Kenya as the country seeks to regain its competitive advantage in the petroleum export market, particularly in light of Uganda’s new importation strategy,” said KPC Managing Director Joe Sang.
Strategic Implications
The project is a crucial step for Kenya as it aims to maintain its dominance in the regional petroleum market. Uganda’s recent shift to independent fuel imports, facilitated by a new agreement with Dutch energy multinational Vitol Bahrain, underscores the importance of this pipeline extension. The agreement aims to secure more competitive fuel prices for Uganda, which still relies on Kenya’s port of Mombasa and KPC’s infrastructure for transporting oil products to the Eldoret and Kisumu depots.
Historical Context and Resolution
The initiative comes on the heels of a recent diplomatic row between Kenya and Uganda. Earlier this year, tensions flared when Nairobi denied Uganda’s government-owned oil marketer a license to operate locally and handle fuel imports to Kampala. Kenya’s refusal to allow the use of KPC infrastructure to move refined petroleum products from Mombasa port to Uganda led to Uganda suing Kenya at the East African Court of Justice in December last year.
In a bid to resolve the conflict, Kenyan President William Ruto met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in February. The meeting led to an announcement that the row was being addressed. In May, President Ruto hosted President Museveni at State House in Nairobi, where they tasked their respective ministers with mobilizing resources for the pipeline extension project and reporting on progress by the end of 2024.
Future Prospects
The Eldoret-Kampala pipeline extension project holds significant promise for enhancing regional cooperation and economic integration. It is expected to streamline the fuel importation process, reduce transportation costs, and bolster the energy security of both nations. Moreover, the potential expansion to Kigali indicates a broader vision for regional connectivity and market integration.
The project underscores the importance of strategic infrastructure development in fostering economic growth and regional stability. As Kenya and Uganda move forward with this ambitious project, it highlights the critical role of collaborative efforts in addressing mutual challenges and achieving shared economic goals.
In conclusion, the Eldoret-Kampala pipeline extension represents a strategic and mutually beneficial endeavor for Kenya and Uganda. By enhancing their petroleum product transportation infrastructure, both nations are set to strengthen their economic ties and improve their competitive positions in the regional fuel market.
