NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- A Kenyan legislator is under investigation for inciting riots at a drilling site operated by Tullow Oil, the Kenyan government said.
British energy explorer Tullow Oil announced Monday it temporarily suspended operations in northern Kenya because of labor strikes. Kenyan Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Lenku said James Lomenen, a member of Parliament, is under investigation for inciting local workers to storm Tullow's facilities, Kenya's radio broadcaster Capital FM reported Wednesday.
"When the oil camp security prevented them from entering, the MP and demonstrators brought down the fence and gained entry," the secretary said.
Lenku said the legislator has a right to voice his concerns about Tullow's alleged discrimination of its Kenyan employees but not in a matter that violates the law, the broadcaster reported.
Tullow said this week it was working with local communities and the central government in Nairobi so it could return to work as soon as possible.
More than half of the 1,400 people employed by Tullow in Kenya are from the north of the country.
