Constitution to help Kenya avoid oil curse, analysts say

The promulgation of the new constitution in Kenya should help the country stay clear of any conflicts that arise with oil discoveries, an international conference has heard. Three key speakers at the 16th Annual International conference  for the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya taking place at the Leisure Lodge Beach& Golf Resort at the coast said Kenya's new constitution has clear provisions that set out clear rules for allocation of resources.

''In its place, we are confident a good framework exists as there are clear rules that allude to how natural resources that abound in the country will be managed for the benefit of the Kenyan people,'' Petroleum Institute of East Africa general manager Waniku Manyara said. On his part, Mr Sesan Akinsanya, a Senior Legal Counsell, Shell Exploration & Production Africa Limited- Nigeria, said that Kenya's recent oil discoveries have been welcome news that comes at a time when the country has a legally binding document in the constitution that will guide on equitable exploitation of the resource.