The Kenyan government has invited members of the public to propose an official name for the country’s crude oil ahead of the planned start of commercial exports in December 2026.
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum says the exercise will help establish the identity under which Kenyan crude oil will be marketed and traded in international markets.
According to a notice obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, submissions must be made by 5pm on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
The announcement follows President William Ruto’s declaration during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations that Kenya is targeting December to begin exporting crude oil from Turkana County.
The planned exports mark a major step in efforts to turn the country’s petroleum discoveries into a commercial source of revenue, more than 14 years after viable oil deposits were discovered in the South Lokichar Basin in 2012. <Cite refs={["turn329858news3","turn329858search8"]}/>
Why Kenya Wants a Special Name for Its Oil
The government says the name will serve as a commercial identity for Kenyan crude oil in the global petroleum market.
Internationally traded crude oil grades have distinctive names that help buyers, refiners and traders identify them in cargo documents, price reports and trading platforms.
Examples include Brent crude from the United Kingdom, Murban crude from the United Arab Emirates and Bonny Light from Nigeria.
The Ministry of Energy says the selected name should reflect Kenya’s national identity, promote patriotism and be easy to pronounce and remember across different languages.
The government believes involving the public will give Kenyans an opportunity to contribute to how the country’s petroleum resources are presented to international buyers.
How Kenyans Can Submit Their Suggestions
The naming exercise is open to individuals, communities, institutions, professional organisations and other interested parties.
Each submission must include the proposed name, an explanation of its meaning and suitability, and the applicant’s contact details.
The ministry has also outlined conditions for the proposed names. They should not be associated exclusively with individual counties, communities, companies, political movements or religious groups.
Additionally, the names must meet trademark registration requirements both in Kenya and internationally.
Interested Kenyans can submit their proposals through the government’s official petroleum website, email crudeoilbranding@petroleum.go.ke, or deliver a sealed envelope marked “Public participation: Naming of Kenya’s crude oil” to the State Department for Petroleum on the 11th floor of Kasneb Towers Two.
The deadline for submissions is Thursday, October 29, at 5pm.
Kenya Prepares for Commercial Oil Production
Kenya discovered commercially viable oil deposits in the South Lokichar Basin in Turkana County in 2012, but technical, financial and infrastructure challenges have delayed large-scale commercial production.
The government is now targeting an initial production phase of approximately 20,000 barrels per day, with exports expected to begin in December 2026.
Gulf Energy has taken over petroleum assets previously operated by Tullow Oil and is advancing development of the oil fields.
The planned exports could create a new source of foreign exchange earnings and open opportunities for local businesses and communities in Turkana.
However, the start of crude oil exports will not automatically lower petrol and diesel prices in Kenya, since the country continues to depend heavily on imported refined petroleum products.
The government’s latest naming initiative is therefore part of the preparations to introduce Kenyan crude to international markets as the country moves closer to commercial production.