Crude oil destined for the Northern Corridor is transported by sea to the port of Mombasa where it is refined and transported via the pipeline to Eldoret and Kisumu. The refined product is then transported by road to other countries. This mode of transport is not ideal for environmental reasons and is also prone to truck accidents and spillages.

Following the decision from the 13th NCIP Summit held in Kampala on 23 April 2016 with regard to the development of pipelines in the region, it was agreed that two crude oil pipelines from Lokichar to Lamu and Hoima to Tanga will be developed by Kenya and Uganda respectively.

Development of the petroleum product pipeline from Eldoret to Kigali through Kampala has been unable to proceed as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project. The Ministries in charge of finance in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have been directed to source financing for this project as an EPC. Contractors have been shortlisted and Request For Proposals (RFPs) prepared in readiness for when finance is attained for this project.