On Tuesday, senior officials from Uganda and Kenya met to discuss the proposed Eldoret-Kampala Refined Petroleum Products Pipeline. Uganda’s Minister for Energy & Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, led the team from Kampala. They were hosted in Nairobi by Mohamed Liban, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Petroleum.
The meeting marked the beginning of planning and preparation for the proposed Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali pipeline. Among the dignitaries present was Joe Sang, Managing Director of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), along with other leaders from KPC.
This pipeline project was first conceived in 1995 under the Joint Coordinating Commission (JCC) and was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding between Uganda and Kenya. According to KPC officials, Presidents William Ruto of Kenya and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda have agreed to extend the pipeline from Eldoret to Kampala to ensure a steady supply and security of petroleum products in Uganda.
During their visit to Nairobi, Nankabirwa’s team, along with PS Liban, visited KPC headquarters at Kenpipe Plaza. They met with senior managers who provided an overview of the company’s operations, infrastructure, and human capacity. The delegation also toured Pump Station 10-Nairobi Terminal to better understand the facility’s operations.
KPC operates state-of-the-art laboratories in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Nakuru, which are used to test the quality of all imported fuel products.
Nankabirwa expressed optimism about the project’s progress. She stated on her social media site X, “We are moving in the right direction. The construction of the pipeline will cut transportation costs, minimize accidents, and save time. I urge the technical teams from both sides to embrace teamwork and successfully implement this pipeline.”
PS Liban also emphasized the importance of the project, saying, “The Steering Committee from Kenya and Uganda will endeavor to put structures in place to ensure successful implementation of the project.”
Key Points of the Meeting:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Hosts | Uganda: Ruth Nankabirwa |
| Kenya: Mohamed Liban | |
| Date | July 23, 2024 |
| Key Dignitaries | Joe Sang, KPC Managing Director |
| Project History | Conceived in 1995 under JCC |
| Memorandum of Understanding | Between Uganda and Kenya |
| Presidential Agreement | Extend pipeline from Eldoret to Kampala |
| Facilities Visited | KPC headquarters at Kenpipe Plaza |
| Pump Station 10-Nairobi Terminal | |
| KPC Laboratories Locations | Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru |
