The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has invited Kenyans to participate in naming of Kenya’s crude oil that was discovered in the South Lokichar Basin, Turkana County in 2012.

The Ministry has set the deadline for public participation and submission of views to be not late than 5.00p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

The Ministry stated that Kenya will soon start producing and exporting crude oil and naming the crude oil will act as the country’s commercial Identity.

“Kenya’s chosen crude name will be the country’s commercial Identity in the global oil market for decades, and it will carry Kenya’s story to buyers globally,” the Ministry stated.

The Ministry explained that the suggested name will be appearing on cargo documents, international price reports and trading screens, in every barrel the country sells.

The Government has also set December 1, 2026, as the set date for first crude oil as it moves from oil exploration to full commercial production.

“The Government has set 1st December 2026, as the date for First Oil, when Kenya moves from exploration and pilot production into full commercial production. Shortly afterwards, Kenyan crude will be offered to international refiners and traders,” the Ministry mentioned.

The State Department for Petroleum has invited Kenyans, Institutions, professional bodies and othe interested stakeholders to submit their views and naming proposals indicating: the proposed name; it’s meaning; why it is suitable; and the name, telephone number and email address of the person or organization submitting.

The department says that the submitted names should: be distinctly Kenyan while speaking for the whole nation; be patriotic, carrying national pride and the Identity Kenyans wish to present to the world; be easy to pronounce and remember in any language; not tied to a single county, community or company; be available for trademark registration in Kenya and internationally while carrying no political, religious or diverse association.

APERIT FM, HII NI YETU