Nairobi, April 7 -- The planned resumption of petroleum activities in Turkana County this year is facing a critical obstacle-the poor state of the Kitale-Lodwar highway, a key transport corridor repeatedly cut off by floods and seasonal rivers.

Disruptions to transport along the busy Kitale-Lodwar road in March, after heavy rains cut off the Morpus section in West Pokot County, have renewed concerns as the Turkana oil exploration project prepares to resume.

Gulf Energy, which acquired Tullow Oil Kenya's assets, plans to begin commercial production in Turkana's Block T6 and Block T7 by December 2026.

The project will rely heavily on the highway, despite its numerous seasonal rivers and lack of bridge, to transport about 20,000...