Kenya and Uganda officials are set to meet purposely look into the way forward for the much uncertain fate of the of Uganda Oil pipeline route, Kenya state Owned KBC television reported.

The deal between the two nations fell on uncertain grounds after Uganda indicated it was considering having its crude export pipeline southwards to the port town of Tanga in Tanzania, just months after signing the Memorandum of Understanding between Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and Counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta.

Uganda Presidency also announced recently that the nation has considered a 1120km route to Tanzania as compared to the 1,300km stretch.

At a cost not yet revealed, Tanzania expressed optimism that the pipeline would provide her nationals 15000 jobs in oil the industry

KBC reported that these developments did not only shock technocrats in the Kenya but also the the industry potential investors.

Kenya Petroleum Principal Secretary Andrew Kamau says should the two sides fail to agree, Kenya will then focus on its own pipeline from Lodwar to Lamu.

Kenya Energy Cabinet secretary Charles Keter indicated to The Star Newspaper  that the pipeline is a key project within the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor and its route is unlikely to change.

“The pipeline is still on course. Moreover, Uganda has not told us that they are not with us,” The Star quoted Keter.

 

Uganda authorities have not yet verified the said stakeholder’s meeting.

However, Uganda and Kenya had also agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding to constitute a joint a financial advisory team that will help to devise a funding model for the project.