{

Coal prospecting has remained a key project in the Ministry of Energy since 2000. Initial surface exploratory activities were concentrated in Mui Basin (400 Km2) of Kitui and Mwingi Districts but in 2002 work moved to Taru Formations in Kwale and Kilifi Districts in Coast Province. The main objectives of these activities were to determine basinal aerial extent and formational geology and also ascertain the presence of coal deposits. Currently exploratory drilling is ongoing in Mui basin and eight sub-basins have been identified in the main trough. Twenty six wells have so far been drilled. Coal seams have been encountered at various depths in eleven of these wells ranging from lignite to bituminous type.