Kenya: Court Halts Dangote Refinery Groundbreaking in Lamu

What the report says

A court in Kenya has temporarily halted plans for the groundbreaking of the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu County, according to Capital FM as republished by AllAfrica. The Malindi Environment and Land Court issued interim orders after a petition was filed by Salim Tima Swale and 132 others seeking to stop preparations for the project.

The case involves land in the Hindi/Manda Magogoni area of Lamu County, where the petitioners asked the court to restrain the Office of the President, Dangote Industries, the Lamu County Government and other respondents from proceeding with activity tied to the refinery. Justice Jane Onyango certified the matter as urgent and ordered that the status quo on the disputed land be maintained until the next court appearance.

The petitioners say they have occupied and used the land for years as farmers and long-term residents, with homes, crops, trees and other developments in place. They argue that those interests should be considered in any compulsory acquisition process. The interim orders, which bar clearing, excavation, fencing, demolition and construction on the occupied portions of the land, are set to remain in force until further directions from the court. The development is significant because it affects a major planned industrial project in coastal Kenya and highlights ongoing legal and land-rights disputes around large infrastructure investments.