EPRA gazettes new rules giving Kenyans priority in oil jobs and contracts

Kenyan workers and local entities are inline for expanded roles across energy sector operations following new regulatory directives issued by the Ministry of Energy.

The Petroleum (Local Content) Regulations, 2026, outline binding framework requirements that bind contractors, licensees, and permit holders across upstream, midstream, and downstream industry segments.

Under these measures, operators must prioritize local talent and locally sourced products. Furthermore, 30 per cent of all procurement for goods, works, and services must be reserved for youth, women, and persons living with disabilities.

The regulatory framework enforced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) sets structured workforce quotas. Upstream and midstream management positions must transition from 30 per cent Kenyan representation initially to 75 per cent after five years, eventually reaching 100 per cent within a decade.

Technical roles in those segments begin at 10 per cent local placement, scaling up to 40 per cent at five years and 55 per cent at ten years. General staff quotas start at 80 per cent and must hit full local representation within five years.

Downstream requirements are steeper, mandating 90 per cent local staff in management and technical posts at launch, scaling to 100 per cent in five years.

Expatriate staffing faces closer scrutiny under the framework. Before applying for foreign work permits, operators must obtain approval recommendations supported by proof that qualified local candidates were unavailable.

Employers must also submit defined succession strategies where local workers understudy foreign experts for up to four years before taking over the roles.

Procurement guidelines mandate preference for local firms across engineering, construction, consultancy, logistics, financial, and legal services. Entities utilizing financial services must engage Kenyan financial institutions and maintain operational bank accounts within the country.

To ensure full compliance, companies must submit local content implementation plans covering workforce development, technology transfer, and research support. Additionally, operators must publish their annual procurement schedules 60 days before the start of each operational financial year.