Nascent Energy Politics in the East African Region: Kenya Case Study

Sub-Saharan African Countries have abundant natural resources even oil and gas, which potentially relieve their economies of poverty. African oil and gas producers in sub-Saharan Africa have adopted and implemented national policies to promote sustainable and comprehensive economic development through the oil and gas industries. These policies have been inefficient or less efficient, mainly due to political instability, poor infrastructure, corruption, lack of technology, lack of capital investments, and policy inconsistencies. Using a case study method, this paper presents evidence that national policies are not appropriate and sufficient for the development of oil and gas countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This article reviews the status of energy legislation and policy from two aspects; Kenya's domestic policy and the policy of the East African region with a focus on Kenya as a future hub for oil and gas production and exports. It then concludes that developing countries must adopt and implement regional policy in a broader context, such as regional economic blocs. Through a regional approach, regions such as the East African Community can provide funding mechanisms and educational facilities through the integration of economies. This enables the domestic markets to benefit from an equal distribution of benefits through the oil and gas industry by observing the principles of justice, i.e. recognizing all stakeholders.