​New Zealand: Bilateral - Deliberative Process with Kenya

Oct 20, 2017 by NZ AGGS

For activities 3a and 3b, it was a great to meet and collaborate with our bilateral partner, Kenya. Communication was difficult on occasion due to a stark difference in time zones, though through the use of WhatsApp, comprehensive and reflective work was achieved.

New Zealand’s case study covered drilling rights in oceans surrounding New Zealand for oil and gas exploration. This is highly controversial in New Zealand, and its effects will impact the government, businesses, local people, and the indigenous Maori in different ways. Offshore drilling will boost our economy, although at the cost of alienating Maori, whose direct relationship to the sea and water will be undermined and disrespected if drilling continues. Additionally, many negative environmental impacts arise from the drilling fluid, air pollution from machinery, and the risk of oil spills.

Kenya’s case study informed of oil drilling in Turkana County. Since 2012, when oil was discovered in Turkana county, many Kenyans viewed it as economically beneficial without considering the indigenous groups that have cultural ties and dependence on Lake Turkana. Additionally, recent experiences of climate change, i.e., their ongoing drought, was heavily brought on by the carbon emissions from the drilling of oil. This has left thousands of indigenous people of Turkana county dead, and in desperate need of food and water.

Similarities and Differences:

• Both countries have focussed on case studies concerning the environmental, cultural, and economical impact of oil drilling. In New Zealand, this is deep sea oil drilling in oceans around New Zealand, whereas in Kenya, oil drilling occurs inland in Turkana County.

• Both Kenya and New Zealand have recently been affected by or are still undergoing a severe drought due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, particularly in Kenya, where it is heavily impacted by oil drilling.

• Due to exploration offshore, the most affected are marine life, whereas oil drilling in Kenya detrimentally affects communities of Turkana County. This puts a social aspect on oil drilling, as not only are we disregarding the environment, we are belittling human lives.

• One significant difference are the voices of opposition towards oil drilling. In New Zealand, the topic is controversial, and many people, ranging from government officials to local towns, are divided on the subject. This has created a cause for NGO’s such as Greenpeace, local iwi, and environmental activists all around New Zealand to speak out and protest against offshore drilling. However, in Kenya, the government and those affected are not working in understanding towards a peaceful goal. Instead, the Kenyan government is delivering false promises, and does not understand its duty to inform the public on both positive and negative effects of offshore drilling. Also, only those directly affected by oil drilling are speaking against the drilling, and in New Zealand, more people are aware of the consequences and it is a national issue.

• Similarly in both Kenya and New Zealand, the government neglects to hear the cries from protesters. In NZ, a law was passed which criminalised protesting at sea, and in Kenya, the indigenous voices of Turkana County remain unheard. No long term plans have been made by either governments concerning the social, environmental, and economic impacts of oil drilling, or they just haven’t been made public.

What may be missing from our own analysis:

Our Deliberation Process for 2c:

1. Gather the facts
2. Identify issues and consequences of the case study related to climate change
3. Identify obligations by the Government for indigenous rights
4. Decide on an ethical action

As a result of our collaboration with Kenya, we feel it important to stress the Government has an obligation to respect indigenous rights. We also feel that we must not only focus on problems that directly affect us, but also understand there are problems we may not know of that personally affect different groups. This is missing from our analysis, but we believe greater empathy and understanding is needed so more communities and voices can work together to stand against the problem. 

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