"Amidst the flurry of President Obama’s visit, Kenya commits to a transparent oil boom"

Buried in the news of President Obama’s first official visit to Kenya last month was the announcement of important “joint commitments” by the U.S. and Kenya to address serious corruption and transparency problems in Kenya...

Under the joint commitments, the Kenyan government has pledged to take two important steps related to extractive industries:

1. Join EITI, making it a part of a global multi-stakeholder program designed to increase the transparency of the financial windfall many resource-rich governments receive from developing their oil, gas and minerals. Kenya pledged to establish a government focal point for EITI implementations within six months and
2. Adopt a “transparent policy and legislative framework” for the oil and gas sector, including the adoption of a transparent process for licensing (or awarding) oil and gas blocks as well as publication of contracts between oil companies and the government.