Kenya: Ruto Warns Against Attempts to Derail Dangote Refinery

What the report says

President William Ruto has warned against efforts he says are aimed at slowing down the planned Dangote refinery in Lamu, as the project nears a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Wednesday. The remarks, reported by Capital FM and distributed by AllAfrica, came during a Tuesday event in Kilifi where Ruto said the government wants the investment to proceed without unnecessary hurdles.

According to the report, the refinery is backed by Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote and is expected to cost about Sh2.2 trillion. It is planned to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is being presented by the government as a major industrial project for Kenya’s Coast region. Ruto said the project would help attract foreign investment, create jobs and support wider economic activity around Lamu Port.

The president also argued that the investment should be structured transparently, saying the Kenyan government would hold a stake and that ordinary Kenyans could eventually buy shares through the Nairobi Securities Exchange. He accused unnamed intermediaries of trying to impose demands on investors, saying Kenya should be offering incentives rather than conditions that could drive capital away. In general, large refinery projects often face scrutiny over land, financing and local participation, and this one has already encountered a court case over disputed land in Lamu.

The article also notes that a shipment of construction equipment recently arrived at Lamu Port, while Dangote Group said a court ruling would not stop the official groundbreaking, though it could affect some site activities.