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 frustrating the planned Dangote refinery project in Lamu, as the ceremony for its groundbreaking nears. According to Capital FM, the president made the remarks in Kilifi on Tuesday during an event for the issuance of title deeds, where he said the project could help transform Kenya’s economy and attract major foreign investment.

The refinery is backed by Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote and is reported to carry an estimated cost of about Sh2.2 trillion, with planned capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Ruto said the Kenyan government would take a stake in the investment and that ordinary citizens would have a chance to buy shares through the Nairobi Securities Exchange. He also argued that investors should be encouraged with incentives rather than burdensome conditions.

The report says Ruto accused unnamed intermediaries of trying to demand shares and other concessions, and linked such tactics to past investment losses. Separately, the article notes that the project has faced legal questions over land in Lamu, though a court did not stop the planned groundbreaking. Dangote Group said the ruling would not halt the official launch, even if it may affect some site activities. The refinery is seen as part of wider plans to expand petroleum processing and boost economic activity around Lamu Port and Kenya’s Coast region.