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Blankets & Wine names Scorpion Kings, Donae’o and Marioo for December 2025 Kasarani festival

Blankets & Wine names Scorpion Kings, Donae’o and Marioo for December 2025 Kasarani festival

4 min read

Blankets & Wine, produced by GoodTimes Africa, has announced the lineup for its Kenyan Summer 2025 edition, scheduled for Sunday, December 21, 2025 at Laureate Gardens, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi. Organisers said the event will start at 12pm and will feature two stages, with tickets available via the Mookh platform.

The bill includes Kenyan acts Iyanii, Matata, Okello Max, Ssaru, Bridget Blue, Elsy Wameyo and Shad Mziki, alongside regional and international performers led by South Africa’s Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa), Tanzania’s Marioo and UK artist Donae’o, according to the press release dated December 9, 2025.

The festival is being staged under the theme “COME WE DANCE!” and is partnered with the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025, which the organisers described as a cultural exchange initiative linking UK and Kenyan creative industries. The partnership follows Blankets & Wine’s UK debut in Bradford earlier in 2025, the statement said, adding that the collaboration is extending back to Nairobi for the December event.

“Our debut in Bradford, UK this year, proved that the Blankets & Wine experience travels and that African creativity resonates globally,” said Muthoni Drummer Queen, Creative Director of Blankets & Wine. “Bringing Donae’o to Nairobi is a full-circle celebration for us, showing that the UK/Kenya Season is not a moment but a movement.”

A British Council spokesperson said the organisation would continue supporting the partnership. “We are delighted to continue this partnership. Blankets & Wine embodies the mutual exchange and creative innovation that the UK/Kenya Season was built to champion,” the spokesperson said.

On the main stage, organisers said South Africa’s Mi Casa will also perform, adding to a lineup that blends Kenyan genres such as gengetone with Afrofusion, R&B and contemporary African pop. The Onja Onja Stage will focus on electronic and alternative programming, featuring Foozak, Tina Ardor, Ms. Mika, Darkfruit, Shishi, and a back-to-back set from Aly Fresh, Mura and Big Nyagz, the release said.

Beyond music, organisers said the Onja Onja Market will return as a holiday marketplace for Kenyan fashion, food, art, wellness and lifestyle brands. The market is positioned as a platform for local traders to reach festival audiences during the year-end consumer season, when discretionary spending typically rises for leisure, gifting and travel-related activities.

The announcement underscores the growing role of ticketed live entertainment in Kenya’s urban consumer economy, with events increasingly bundling music, food and retail experiences into a single spend occasion. For Kenyan brands and SMEs, festival marketplaces have become an additional route to customer acquisition and product testing, while large-format venues such as Kasarani provide the scale needed for higher-capacity events.

Organisers also said Blankets & Wine, now in its 17th year, is focusing on operational and production improvements. “For years, we’ve worked tirelessly to delight audiences through exceptional artistry and dependable production. Now we are sharpening our operations, sound, staging, hospitality and accessibility,” said Muthoni Drummer Queen.

Justine Mbugua, Head of Festivals at Blankets & Wine, said the team is prioritising service execution. “Each edition strengthens the cultural ecosystem. We are deeply focused on service excellence and creating a seamless experience from entry to exit,” she said.

Next milestones include ticket sales performance ahead of the December date and the release of additional programming details around staging and market vendors. The organisers said more information is available on the festival’s website and social channels, while media inquiries are being handled by Anyiko Public Relations.

GoodTimes Africa’s Blankets & Wine has announced the artist lineup for its Kenyan Summer 2025 edition scheduled for December 21, 2025 at Laureate Gardens, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The festival will run a two-stage programme and is being delivered in partnership with the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025, according to the organisers.

Mr Eazi releases “Dance Pon Me” ahead of dancehall-inspired Mixpak mixtape

Mr Eazi releases “Dance Pon Me” ahead of dancehall-inspired Mixpak mixtape

3 min read

Nigerian artist Mr Eazi has released a new single and music video titled “Dance Pon Me”, according to a press release dated December 15, 2025. The release arrives ahead of a dancehall-inspired mixtape that Mr Eazi plans to put out on Mixpak, the statement said.

The track follows “Sekkle & Bop”, Mr Eazi’s 2021 collaboration featuring Popcaan, and is positioned by his team as the latest preview of the upcoming project. The press release states that “Dance Pon Me” is available for streaming on digital platforms alongside an official video.

The release adds to a growing pipeline of Africa-origin music content timed to year-end entertainment demand, commonly referred to in West and East Africa as “Detty December”. For Kenya’s music and nightlife economy—covering clubs, live events, DJs, brand activations and streaming consumption—high-rotation singles in December typically influence bookings and playlists across Nairobi’s entertainment circuit, while also shaping cross-border collaborations and touring patterns.

According to the statement, “Dance Pon Me” was produced by Dre Skull and Cadenza. The release notes that Dre Skull has worked with Popcaan, Burna Boy and Vybz Kartel, while Cadenza has credits with Jorja Smith, Beyoncé and Doja Cat.

Songwriting credits listed in the press release include Oliver Rodigan, Andrew Hershey, Marlon Roudette and Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade.

The press release also frames the track as reflecting a wider Afro-diaspora sound and audience, explicitly referencing cities including Lagos, Accra, Nairobi and London as part of its intended cultural reach.

Mr Eazi is described in the statement as a Grammy Award–winning artist. The release cites his past catalogue—including tracks such as “Skin Tight” and “Leg Over”—and notes that he has performed at Coachella. It also references his involvement in nightlife concepts, including Choplife Soundsystem and Detty Rave.

In 2025, Mr Eazi released an EP titled “MAISON ROUGE”, which the statement describes as a return to his Banku Music roots.

While the press release does not disclose commercial terms, distribution partners, streaming figures or projected release dates for the Mixpak project, the announcement underscores the continuing competition for audience attention during the December peak season, when music releases often translate into demand for club play, event programming and short-form video content.

For Kenya’s market, such releases can have spillover effects across DJ setlists, streaming playlists and event line-ups, particularly as Nairobi remains a regular stop for regional touring and brand-sponsored nightlife events. The explicit mention of Nairobi in the press statement indicates continued interest in East African listenership as part of wider pan-African and diaspora consumption patterns.

Anyiko PR said media inquiries for East Africa should be directed to press@anyiko-pr.com. Mr Eazi’s team indicated that the single and official video are now available on streaming platforms, with the broader mixtape planned for release on Mixpak.

Nigerian artist Mr Eazi has released a new single and music video, “Dance Pon Me,” dated December 15, 2025, according to a statement distributed by Anyiko PR. The track was produced by Dre Skull and Cadenza and is positioned as the latest release ahead of a forthcoming dancehall-inspired mixtape on Mixpak.

Pungulu Pa Productions hosted inaugural Pungulu PArty! children’s festival in Nairobi

Pungulu Pa Productions hosted inaugural Pungulu PArty! children’s festival in Nairobi

4 min read

Pungulu Pa Productions, a Nairobi-based animation studio, hosted the inaugural Pungulu PArty! Children’s Festival on December 7, 2025 at the Parade Ring, Ngong Race Course, positioning the event as an off-screen extension of its Uli & Tata African Nursery Rhymes animated series.

In a statement dated December 16, 2025, the company said the first edition drew more than 400 attendees and featured a mix of screenings, storytelling, music, dance, workshops and interactive activities targeted at families. The festival comes as Kenyan creative businesses increasingly look to diversify revenue beyond digital content through live experiences, brand partnerships and licensing-linked events.

The studio said the festival programming included a screening experience curated by the Zamaleo Storytellers, which it described as blending cinema with a drum-circle format where children participated through singing and movement. A puppet show by Buni Media’s Matata and Friends also featured as part of the day’s activities.

The event included appearances by lead voice actors associated with the Uli & Tata series. John Sibi-Okumu, who voices the bird character Tuki, and Fadhilee, who voices Tata, attended alongside members of the production team, including the series’ music director, Fancy Fingers, according to the press release.

Chief Nyamweya, creative director of Uli & Tata’s African Nursery Rhymes, linked the festival to perceived gaps in Nairobi’s family entertainment market. “As young parents, my co-founders and I had long felt the lack of engaging and affordable activities for children in Nairobi,” Nyamweya said. He added that demand from audiences of the series helped shape the concept: “Parents of kids who love our show had been asking for over a year for more off-screen experiences connected to the series.”

Live music formed part of the event’s line-up. Pungulu Pa Productions said performances featured Kenyan acts Liboi, Komora and Papillon Musa, while DJ sets were provided by Santuri. The studio also said children participated in an introductory Jiu-jitsu session delivered by Nairobi Jiu-jitsu Academy.

Sarah Mallia, producer of the Uli & Tata series, said the event was intended to create a space for families to engage with cultural themes embedded in the show. “We witnessed something powerful - families reconnecting with the songs, stories and traditions that make us who we are,” Mallia said. She added that the company interpreted the turnout as evidence of demand for child-focused cultural programming: “The success of the event affirms how deeply Kenyan families long for spaces where our cultural heritage is honoured, shared and passed on.”

The festival is part of a broader push by Kenyan content producers to commercialise intellectual property across formats, including live events. While the company did not disclose ticketing, sponsorship or revenue figures, the ability of local animation IP to mobilise paying family audiences is increasingly relevant as producers seek sustainable models in a competitive media and entertainment landscape.

Pungulu Pa Productions said it plans to hold another edition of Pungulu PArty!, though it did not provide dates or venue details. The studio also outlined its wider work on children’s content, stating that much of its animation is completed by Kenyan animators and that its creative team conducted research across Kenya and Tanzania to collect nursery rhymes used in the series.

Separately, the studio acknowledged institutional and programme support for the Uli & Tata African Nursery Rhymes series, naming the French Government’s Creation Africa programme, the National Geographic Society, Afrique Créative (financed by Agence Française de Développement), the Kenya Film Commission, Africa No Filter and Braid Arts & Culture Fund among partners cited in the statement.

Pungulu Pa Productions held the first edition of the Pungulu PArty! Children’s Festival on December 7, 2025 at the Parade Ring, Ngong Race Course in Nairobi. The studio said the event, inspired by its Uli & Tata African Nursery Rhymes animated series, attracted more than 400 attendees and will inform future editions.

Blankets & Wine closes 2025 season with Kenyan Summer edition at Kasarani

Blankets & Wine closes 2025 season with Kenyan Summer edition at Kasarani

4 min read

Blankets & Wine, a GoodTimes Africa production, closed its 2025 calendar with the Kenyan Summer 2025 edition held on Sunday, December 21, at Laureate Gardens, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi, according to the organisers.

The December event, staged under the theme “COME WE DANCE!” and delivered in partnership with the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025, brought together “thousands of festival-goers” and featured two performance stages and an Onja Onja Market focused on Kenyan brands, the organisers said.

Blankets & Wine has grown into one of Nairobi’s established live entertainment properties, supporting a supply chain that includes event production, hospitality, brand partnerships, artist management, vendors and creative SMEs. Its continued regional and international activity also signals the increasing role of Kenyan-led cultural events in cross-border tourism and creative economy linkages across East Africa.

On the Main Stage, the lineup included Kenyan acts Shad Mziki, Bridget Blue, Elsy Wameyo, Okello Max, Ssaru, Matata and Iyanii. The organisers said the bill also featured Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa), describing the performance as the duo’s first in Kenya, alongside Tanzania’s Marioo and South Africa’s Mi Casa.

The Onja Onja Stage ran from earlier in the day into the night and featured UK artist Donae’o as well as Kenyan DJs and performers including Darkfruit, Shishi, Foozak, Tina Ardor and Ms. Mika. The organisers said the stage closed with a back-to-back set from Aly Fresh, Mura and Big Nyagz.

Organisers linked the December edition to the festival’s broader international agenda in 2025. They said September 2025 marked the festival’s first UK edition, held in Bradford, which they framed as part of Blankets & Wine’s international expansion and as a continuation of collaboration with the British Council. The inclusion of Donae’o on the December lineup was described as a continuation of that partnership.

“2025 has been a defining year for us. From Bradford back to Nairobi, we’ve shown that Blankets & Wine is more than an event - it’s a living cultural platform that travels, evolves and connects people through music and joy,” said Muthoni Drummer Queen, Creative Director of Blankets & Wine, in the statement. She added: “Special thanks to the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025 for supporting a fitting close to a truly transformative year for the festival, including our first-ever international edition in Bradford, UK.”

Diane Ywaya, Communications Manager at GoodTimes Africa, said the event’s programming and community support were central to its delivery. “What a powerful way to close the year. From the main stage to Onja Onja, the market and the dance floor, you reminded us why Blankets & Wine exists,” she said, thanking the community, artists and partners.

Justine Mbugua, Head of Festivals at Blankets & Wine, said operational execution remained a priority across the year’s editions. “Every edition this year reflected months of careful planning and a deep focus on service excellence. From production and hospitality to artist experience to audience flow, we are proud of the standard we delivered and the trust our community continues to place in us,” Mbugua said.

Beyond performances, organisers said the Onja Onja Market returned with a “Made in Kenya” theme, featuring Kenyan fashion, food, art, wellness and lifestyle brands. The market component is a revenue and visibility channel for local vendors, and it aligns with a broader trend in Kenya’s events industry where festivals increasingly bundle live entertainment with retail, food and experiential activations.

Looking ahead, the organisers said Blankets & Wine is entering its 17th year, positioning the 2025 close as a foundation for future editions and partnerships. Key milestones to watch will include the festival’s 2026 calendar announcements and whether it expands further into new markets following the 2025 Bradford event.

GoodTimes Africa’s Blankets & Wine held its Kenyan Summer 2025 edition on December 21 at Laureate Gardens in Kasarani, closing the festival’s 2025 calendar. Organisers said the event, delivered in partnership with the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025, capped a year that included the festival’s first UK edition in Bradford.

Kenya Breweries awards Embu mechanic KSh1 million in Senator Keg Tuzidi Kuinuana promotion

Kenya Breweries awards Embu mechanic KSh1 million in Senator Keg Tuzidi Kuinuana promotion

4 min read

Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has awarded KSh1 million to Embu-based mechanic Francis Muriuki as the first grand prize winner in the Senator Keg “Tuzidi Kuinuana” consumer promotion, with the company saying the campaign is designed to split winnings between individual consumers and farmer-led community projects.

The award was presented in Embu during a draw event held as part of the ongoing promotion, according to a media statement issued by Irene Mugo of Inter Management Group (IMG) Kenya on behalf of the brewer. KBL said it is targeting at least five KSh1 million grand prize winners in Embu.

In remarks to journalists cited in the statement, Muriuki said the win was unexpected and that he intends to use the funds to expand his business and undertake development projects at his homestead. He also named Mwankoma Community Based Organization (CBO) as the beneficiary of KSh500,000, framing the allocation as support for farmers linked to the Senator Keg supply chain.

“I am glad that after three attempts I have been declared the winner. It is also a privilege to share it with other people who need the financial boost – the farmers who play a huge part in the Senator Keg production value chain,” Mr Muriuki said, according to the statement.

KBL described Mwankoma CBO as comprising farmers who grow cowpeas, green grams and sorghum, which they supply to the brewer, while also training farmers on safe farming practices in Embu. Muriuki said he selected the group because it needs capital to continue aggregating sorghum for KBL and to buy farm equipment.

“I have picked Mwankoma because after going through their portfolio, they need the capital to continue playing the role of sorghum aggregators for KBL and also purchase farm equipment that will advance crop production and enhance sustainable agriculture,” he said.

The “Tuzidi Kuinuana” promotion is a three-month consumer campaign that KBL said forms part of its commemoration of 20 years since the Senator brand’s inception in 2004. In the statement, KBL said the initiative also serves as an “educative platform” to increase sensitisation on the fight against illicit brew.

Speaking at the Embu event, KBL Divisional Trade Marketing Manager Martin Wanjohi said the campaign supports community growth alongside business objectives. “The business for the last 20 years has been premised on the core mandate and obligation to support growth of communities in which we operate in a way that serves their immediate needs,” Mr Wanjohi said.

For Kenya’s alcohol and beverage industry, promotions tied to cash prizes and retail participation remain a key tool for driving volume and brand stickiness in a price-sensitive market, especially for mainstream value brands. The added linkage to farmer-led CBOs also highlights the growing prominence of agricultural sourcing narratives in consumer-facing campaigns, as manufacturers seek to demonstrate local supply-chain impact amid rising scrutiny of corporate practices and community benefit.

KBL said the campaign will see at least 823,025 winners in total. Under the structure described in the statement, each of the five grand prize winners of KSh1 million will take home KSh500,000, with the remainder allocated to two farmer-led CBOs of their choice. Other categories include monthly, weekly and daily winners. Monthly winners receive a KSh50,000 home makeover package, weekly winners get shopping vouchers worth KSh2,500, and daily winners receive instant cash prizes from KSh25, KBL said.

To participate, consumers must purchase two 500ml mugs of Senator Lager or Dark Extra and use a scratch card code sent via SMS to a five-digit short code, according to the statement. KBL said the campaign will continue for the next two months.

Kenya Breweries Limited has awarded KSh1 million to Embu-based mechanic Francis Muriuki as the first grand prize winner in the Senator Keg “Tuzidi Kuinuana” consumer promotion. Muriuki said he will allocate KSh500,000 to Mwankoma Community Based Organization, which supplies crops including sorghum to KBL, while using the balance to expand his business and fund projects at home.

Bruce Melodie, Diamond Platnumz and Joel Brown release ‘POM POM’ under 1:55 AM Entertainment

Bruce Melodie, Diamond Platnumz and Joel Brown release ‘POM POM’ under 1:55 AM Entertainment

3 min read

Rwandan singer Bruce Melodie has released a new single, POM POM, featuring Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz and Nigerian artist Joel Brown, according to a press release issued on January 8, 2026. The release, distributed by 1:55 AM Entertainment, is accompanied by an official music video filmed in Kigali, Rwanda, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The three-artist collaboration brings together Afro-pop, Bongo Flava and Afrobeats influences, with lyrics delivered in Kinyarwanda, Swahili and English, the statement said. The track was produced by Ghanaian producer C-Tea Beat.

The release is part of a growing pattern of cross-border collaborations within Africa’s commercial music industry, where streaming distribution and regional fanbases increasingly shape how artists and labels plan releases. For Kenya, where music consumption is increasingly driven by digital platforms and live performance circuits linked to East African tour routes, multi-country projects such as POM POM can influence playlist visibility, licensing demand and event bookings across the region.

Bruce Melodie said the collaboration was intended to highlight cultural and geographic diversity through a shared sound. “This collaboration celebrates Africa in all its colors — three voices, three countries, one anthem. ‘POM POM’ is more than a song; it’s a movement, a reminder that music connects us no matter where we come from,” Bruce Melodie said in the press release.

The music video was directed by Rwanda’s Fayzo Pro for the Kigali scenes and Uganda’s Sasha Vybz for the Dar es Salaam scenes, the statement said. It described the visual approach as combining Rwandan heritage motifs with Tanzanian urban landscapes.

According to the release, POM POM marks the first collaboration between Bruce Melodie, Diamond Platnumz and Joel Brown. The statement attributed the partnership to “mutual respect and admiration” among the artists and said C-Tea Beat was responsible for aligning the artists’ styles in the final production.

For Kenyan music and entertainment businesses—ranging from promoters and venues to digital marketers and licensing agencies—the continued consolidation of regional star power into single releases can intensify competition for audience attention while also creating more opportunities for multi-market activations. Cross-border tracks often enable organisers to structure joint appearances and sponsorship packages across Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali and Dar es Salaam, particularly when releases are supported by music videos and coordinated online campaigns.

Industry stakeholders will also watch how such releases perform on streaming services and social platforms, as metrics increasingly determine booking leverage and brand partnerships in East Africa’s entertainment economy. The press release said the single is available on major streaming platforms and that media inquiries for Africa can be directed to Anyiko PR.

Next steps are expected to include broader promotional activities tied to the single, including potential media appearances and live performance opportunities across the region, as the artists and their representatives seek to extend the release’s reach beyond its launch window.

Rwandan artist Bruce Melodie has released a new single, ‘POM POM’, featuring Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz and Nigeria’s Joel Brown, according to a media statement dated January 8, 2026. The track, produced by Ghanaian producer C-Tea Beat and released via 1:55 AM Entertainment, is accompanied by a music video shot in Kigali and Dar es Salaam.

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Eni reports Ivory Coast and Angola hydrocarbon discoveries as African Energy Chamber backs exploration push

Eni reports Ivory Coast and Angola hydrocarbon discoveries as African Energy Chamber backs exploration push

4 min read

Energy company Eni has reported two hydrocarbon discoveries in Ivory Coast and Angola in February 2026, with the African Energy Chamber (AEC) saying the finds could reinforce production stability in Angola and accelerate gas-to-power ambitions in Ivory Coast. The details were published in a press release dated February 17, 2026, distributed by APO Group on behalf of the AEC.

In Ivory Coast, Eni said it successfully drilled the Murene South-1X well in Block CI-501, confirming what it described as the Calao South discovery within the Calao channel complex. In Angola, Eni’s joint venture Azule Energy announced the Algaita-01 well in Block 15/06 in the Lower Congo Basin, one of the country’s long-producing oil regions, according to the statement.

The announcement adds to a trend of renewed exploration and appraisal activity across Africa as operators balance near-term cashflow needs with longer-term reserve replacement. For Kenya’s business landscape, the developments matter as regional upstream activity can influence investment flows, service-sector demand and future competition for capital across East Africa’s still-developing petroleum potential. Kenya has previously pursued upstream investment and is also expanding gas and power infrastructure planning, making West and Southern Africa benchmarks relevant for policymakers and investors tracking Africa’s energy transition pathways.

The AEC said the Ivory Coast discovery is the first exploration well in Block CI-501 and carries estimated volumes of 5 trillion cubic feet of gas and 450 million barrels of condensate. The chamber said the Murene South-1X well was drilled in about 5,000 metres of water and encountered Cenomanian sands, with a drill stem test planned to assess production capacity.

In Angola, the AEC said the Algaita-01 well was drilled in 667 metres of water by the Saipem 12000 drillship and encountered oil-bearing sandstones across multiple Upper Miocene intervals. Initial resource estimates were put at 500 million barrels of oil, the statement said, adding that proximity to existing infrastructure — including the Olombendo FPSO — could improve development economics and speed up timelines.

“Eni’s recent discoveries in Ivory Coast and Angola send a powerful signal to the global market that Africa remains open, prospective and competitive,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, in the release. “Oil and gas are not relics of the past for our continent - they are the foundation of industrialization, power generation and economic sovereignty.”

The AEC also linked the Ivory Coast discovery to Eni’s Baleine Field development, saying Baleine is producing “over 62,000 barrels of oil and more than 75 million cubic feet of gas per day” from Phases 1 and 2, with Phase 3 targeting “150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas per day.” The chamber said this illustrates a model where exploration success is converted into near-term production.

Beyond the two discoveries, the AEC said Eni plans to invest up to €24 billion (about KES 3.4 trillion) across Algeria, Libya and Egypt over the next four years. The statement also said Eni secured Libya’s offshore exploration License O1 in the country’s 2025 open licensing round and referenced an LNG strategy tied to Congo LNG Phase 2, which it said commenced in December 2025, and Coral North, which it said launched in October 2025.

For the wider East African market, the reported scale of discoveries in Ivory Coast and Angola may reinforce investor preference for proven basins with established infrastructure, potentially raising the bar for frontier exploration plays. However, it could also stimulate demand for African oilfield services, subsea engineering and LNG-linked supply chains, areas where Kenyan firms and logistics providers increasingly seek regional opportunities.

The AEC said Eni is progressing appraisal, testing and development planning for the new finds. Next milestones will likely include drill stem test results in Ivory Coast and further appraisal and concept selection work in Angola, alongside capital allocation decisions within Eni’s broader African portfolio.

Eni has announced two hydrocarbon discoveries in Ivory Coast and Angola in February 2026, according to a press release distributed by APO Group on behalf of the African Energy Chamber. The chamber said the finds could strengthen output in mature producers such as Angola and support gas-to-power ambitions in emerging producers including Ivory Coast, as Eni advances appraisal and development planning.

Gulf Energy tells MPs it will invest KES 774 billion in Turkana oil project, targets December 2026 first oil

Gulf Energy tells MPs it will invest KES 774 billion in Turkana oil project, targets December 2026 first oil

4 min read

Gulf Energy E&P BV has reaffirmed plans to invest nearly KES 774 billion (US$6 billion) in Kenya’s South Lokichar oil development in Turkana County and said it is targeting first crude production by December 1, 2026, as Parliament prepares to consider the project’s Field Development Plan (FDP) and production-sharing agreements.

Gulf Energy E&P BV Chairman Francis Njogu made the commitments while appearing before a Joint Parliamentary Committee of Energy meeting held as part of a public participation process ahead of the FDP ratification. The session was jointly chaired by National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy chair David Gikaria and Senate Standing Committee on Energy vice chair Senator William Kisang.

The company is seeking parliamentary ratification in the coming weeks, a step it says is necessary to advance the project toward a Final Investment Decision (FID) and eventual production.

The South Lokichar project, located in Turkana County, is viewed as Kenya’s most advanced onshore oil development following years of exploration and appraisal in the basin. Gulf Energy told lawmakers the FDP and the production-sharing agreements place emphasis on local content, community engagement and alignment of benefits among stakeholders.

Njogu said the company’s plans include what it described as strict adherence to a “ring-fenced Local Content Strategy” and social investments intended to generate longer-term socio-economic benefits for Turkana and the wider economy.

“At Gulf Energy, we are approaching this FDP as Kenyans with a view to creating as many jobs and business opportunities for Kenyans, starting with our Turkana host community, as are committed to positioning Kenya as an oil-producing country. We are very ready, and we have set 1st December, 2026, as a target to produce oil, and we hope to expeditiously secure the FDP ratification,” Njogu said.

He told the committee Gulf Energy E&P BV is indigenously owned and has “strong financial resources” to support capital-intensive developments. Njogu added that the company has “robust financial partnerships and active lines of credit with leading local and international banking and financial institutions,” though he did not name the lenders.

“The South Lokichar project and the FDP we have presented to the Government present a technically mature pathway to unlock Kenya’s largest onshore petroleum development in a shared prosperity model,” Njogu said.

The company also referenced a cost recovery proposal included in the FDP, which it said had been approved by Cabinet Secretary for Petroleum and Energy Opiyo Wandayi in November. Njogu said the fiscal measures proposed in the FDP are required to meet investment and bankability thresholds for the FID.

On government revenues, the press release cited projections by the Government of Kenya of potential earnings ranging between KES 135.45 billion (US$1.05 billion at US$60 per barrel) and KES 374.1 billion (US$2.9 billion at US$70 per barrel) over the project’s life.

Njogu urged lawmakers to move quickly, arguing that the global financing environment for upstream oil is tightening. He said international lenders are increasingly restricting hydrocarbon financing in line with climate commitments and shifting capital toward lower-carbon energy.

“As a result, frontier oil projects such as South Lokichar must demonstrate strong economics, robust fiscal stability, and timely decision-making to remain competitive for capital. Any prolonged uncertainty risks placing Kenya at a disadvantage relative to other emerging oil provinces that are actively adjusting their fiscal terms to secure investment before this window closes,” he said.

Under the production-sharing contract framework, Njogu said the State retains ownership of the resource while the contractor provides technical capability and risk capital to bring it to production.

Parliament is expected to deliberate on the FDP and the production-sharing agreements before deciding on ratification in the coming weeks.

Gulf Energy E&P BV has told a joint parliamentary committee it plans to invest nearly KES 774 billion (US$6 billion) in the South Lokichar oil development in Turkana County and is targeting first crude by December 1, 2026. The company asked Parliament to ratify the Field Development Plan and production-sharing agreements, warning that delays could undermine financing as global lenders tighten appetite for new oil projects.

Ruiru Sports Club sets February 28 Lady Captain’s Prize as Rodah Mukami ends term

Ruiru Sports Club sets February 28 Lady Captain’s Prize as Rodah Mukami ends term

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Ruiru Sports Club will host its Lady Captain’s Prize tournament on February 28 at its 18-hole course in Ruiru, Kiambu County, marking the end of Lady Captain Rodah Mukami’s two-year term. The club said the week-long programme running from February 23 to March 1 is expected to attract more than 300 golfers for the main event, one of the largest anticipated turnouts at the club in recent years.

The club’s schedule blends competitive play and social activities, with organisers positioning it as a capstone to Mukami’s tenure and a reflection of efforts to expand participation in ladies’ and junior golf at the club. Ruiru Sports Club is located along the Thika Superhighway and is part of a growing cluster of golf facilities in the Nairobi metropolitan area that are competing to host high-profile events and attract sponsor support.

Festivities will begin on February 23 with a Caddies and Staff Golf Day, which the club said is intended to recognise the role of caddies and staff in day-to-day operations. A Senior Golf Day and Mini Clubnite will follow on February 24. On February 25, the club will stage a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative alongside a Greensomes tournament, before the Lady Captain’s Prize curtain raiser on February 26. A Koroga-themed Chip and Putt event is scheduled for February 27, ahead of the main tournament on February 28. The programme will conclude on March 1 with a Juniors Mug Tournament.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Mukami said the event would highlight progress made during her term. “This tournament is not just about my exit; it is about the incredible journey we have walked together as a club. Over the past two years, we have seen our ladies grow in confidence and competitiveness, and our juniors step up with remarkable promise. That is the true victory,” said Rodah Mukami, Lady Captain, Ruiru Sports Club, in the press release.

Ruiru Sports Club said it has recently hosted a series of Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU)-linked competitions, which have helped raise its profile in women’s golf. According to the club, it hosted the KLGU Ladies 54-Hole Tournament as well as the inaugural KLGU Golfer of the Year (GOTY) event. The club also hosted the Pendant Tournament for the first time in September, which it described as among the long-running medal-format competitions on the KLGU calendar.

For the Kenyan golf ecosystem, tournament hosting remains a key lever for clubs seeking to attract membership, secure sponsorship and build junior pipelines. Increased corporate participation in club events can also signal broader interest in associating with sports properties that offer business networking and community engagement opportunities, particularly in the Nairobi and Central Kenya corridor where corporate and real estate development continues to expand.

The club said it is also seeing progress in competitive depth in women’s golf. Ruiru now has two female golfers in its elite team, according to the press release, and more junior girls are in development pathways, with some moving toward single-handicap status.

The Lady Captain’s Prize has drawn corporate sponsorship led by Family Bank as the key sponsor, the club said. Other sponsors named in the press release include Dhahabu Land Ltd, Croton Motors, Aurora Scents, Lady Captain and Friends, Compnet Advisory Systems, Fantom Estates, Auto Master and Shell.

Attention will now shift to execution of the week’s programme and participation levels across the different categories, particularly juniors, as the club closes out Mukami’s term and signals its next phase of women’s and youth golf development.

Ruiru Sports Club will stage a week-long Lady Captain’s Prize programme culminating in a February 28 tournament expected to draw more than 300 golfers, as Lady Captain Rodah Mukami closes out her two-year term. The club says the schedule will combine competitive events, a CSR initiative and junior development activities, backed by corporate sponsors led by Family Bank.