In Kenya today and in the future, petroleum and mining courses will be among the most in-demand educational qualifications, and its graduates will be most sought after to work in various industries and government institutions. I strongly believe so.
Why? Just recently, Kenya found coltan, a rare mineral used in the manufacture of all modern technological devices like phones and laptops, in its six counties Embu, with the largest deposits, Mwingi North in Kitui, Nachola area in Samburu, Alale in West Pokot, Makutano in Turkana County and Kora Wells in Tana River County, so there is need to look for mining engineers, mining surveyors, Geophysicists, Geologists, Geotechnical Engineers and other experts in that field to help in mining this precious heat-resistant mineral, when manufactured, occurring in granitic pegmatites, a type of igneous rock.
And this is without mentioning the booming petroleum (oil and gas) exploration efforts going on in the country’s sedimentary basins in areas of Anza, Lamu, Mandera, and Tertiary Rift, without talking about Tullow Oil reopening after shutting down its oil extraction project in Turkana for two years and the numerous jobs announced in the State Department for Mining beginning 2024.
To prepare yourself for jobs in the petroleum and mining sector, you need to study a course in one of its areas because it is highly specialized and requires professionals.
Where can I study petroleum and mining in Kenya?
Professionals working in mines and the oil and gas industry look to discover reserves of these natural resources and extract and refine them for making quality products.
On the other hand, companies in this space build, operate, and maintain mining equipment and hire these professionals to utilize them in everyday mining activities.
In the petroleum sector, the most prominent careers are petroleum engineers, who apply the principles of geology, physics, and the engineering sciences to inspect and oversee exploration, drilling, and production, petroleum inspectors, field specialists, and others. Mostly, they are offered at the bachelor’s degree level in most Kenyan universities, and it takes five years to complete.
At the diploma and certificate level, if you didn’t meet the C+ requirement to join the university, you can study Geology and Mineral Science and other related courses covering mineral exploration, its production, supply chain, and more.
Here are top institutions undertaking research and education in fundamental and applied aspects of geoscience and georesources to prepare you for a rewarding job in the petroleum and mining sector;
| Institutions for petroleum and mining in Kenya | Course offering; |
| Kenyatta University | Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Energy Technology and BSc in Petroleum Engineering |
| University of Nairobi | BSc in Petroleum Engineering and BSc in Petroleum Geoscience |
| Morendat Institute of Oil & Gas (MIOG) | Diploma in Oil and Gas Economics and Diploma in Petroleum Management (KCSE mean grade C-) |
| Nairobi Technical Training Institute | Diploma in Petroleum Management |
| Finstock Evarsity College | Diploma In Petroleum Management (DPLM) and Basic Certificate in Geology and Mineral Science |
| Eldoret Technical Training Institute | Dip/Cert Petroleum Geoscience |
| Technical University of Kenya | Master of Technology (Petroleum Chemical Technology ) |
| Kisii University | BSc in Petroleum Chemistry |
| Mount Kenya University | Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Exploration and Production |
| Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology | BSc in Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering |
| Taita Taveta University | BSc in Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering |
READ: The Kenya School of Government: Building Public Service Capacity to Perform
