Conservancies, Conflict and Dispossession: The Winners and Losers of Oil Exploration in Turkana, Kenya | African Studies Review | Cambridge Core (original) (raw)

Abstract

Formerly marginal areas are increasingly the focus of extractive mega-projects, which are framed as necessary for economic growth and a modern industrial economy. Yet there are concerns that such projects are unjustly displacing local populations, facilitated through the alliances of local elites with foreign investors. This article asks, who are the winners and losers from oil exploration in the Turkana region of Kenya? Using longitudinal ethnographic research on the dynamics of local government, oil exploration, and pastoralist livelihoods in Turkana, Mkutu and Mdee highlight how current processes may exacerbate inequality and marginalization, with the potential for increasingly violent consequences.

Résumé

Résumé

Des zones considérées comme marginales par le passé font de plus en plus l’objet de mégaprojets d’extraction minière qui sont présentés comme nécessaires à la croissance économique et à l’économie industrielle moderne. Pourtant, il est à craindre que de tels projets, facilités par les alliances des élites locales avec des investisseurs étrangers, ne déplacent injustement les populations locales. Cet article pose la question, à savoir qui sont les gagnants et les perdants de l’exploration pétrolière dans la région de Turkana au Kenya? A l’aide de recherches ethnographiques longitudinales sur la dynamique du gouvernement local, l’exploration pétrolière et les moyens de subsistance des pasteurs à Turkana, Mkutu et Mdee mettent en évidence la façon dont les processus actuels peuvent exacerber les inégalités et la marginalisation, avec la possibilité d’une augmentation des conséquences violentes.

Resumo

Resumo

Territórios outrora desvalorizados estão cada vez mais na mira de megaprojetos da indústria extrativa, os quais são considerados essenciais para o crescimento económico e para desenvolver uma economia industrial moderna. No entanto, há quem considere que esses projetos são responsáveis pela deslocação indiscriminada de populações, a qual é agilizada através de alianças entre elites locais e investidores estrangeiros. Neste artigo questiona-se quem sai beneficiado e quem sai prejudicado da exploração do petróleo na região queniana do lago Turkana? Com recurso a métodos longitudinais de investigação etnográfica acerca das dinâmicas de governação local, da exploração de petróleo e dos modos de vida agropastoris na Turkana, Mkutu e Mdee destacam o modo como os processos em curso podem exacerbar a desigualdade e a marginalização, com potenciais consequências cada vez mais violentas.

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