LAMU, Kenya- Workers at the Port of Lamu are unloading 2,930 metric tonnes of construction machinery for the proposed Sh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Refinery ahead of Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony.
President William Ruto is scheduled to preside over the event, with several other heads of state expected to attend, according to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
The authority said the port remained operational as crews discharged the heavy equipment from MV Da Yang while preparations for the ceremony continued.
The machinery is intended for the refinery, which is designed to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil a day and supply refined petroleum products to regional markets.
Chirchir inspects preparations
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar toured the port ahead of the ceremony.
KPA said the two officials inspected the preparations and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.
“Even as the preparations are ongoing, the Port of Lamu remains operational with the heavy lift gang currently discharging 2,930 metric tonnes of heavy construction machinery,” the authority said.
The delivery brings equipment for the project through the same port expected to support the refinery’s future operations.
Crude supplies planned from Turkana and beyond
According to KPA, the proposed facility is designed to process crude from the Lokichar fields in Turkana County, alongside supplies sourced from elsewhere in East and Southern Africa and beyond.
Its planned capacity would make it one of the largest refineries in East Africa.
“Upon completion of the project, the refinery will supply refined petroleum products to markets across the region, strengthening East Africa’s energy and petroleum supply infrastructure,” KPA said.
The authority did not specify a construction completion date or when commercial fuel production would begin.
Wednesday’s ceremony will mark the project’s groundbreaking, rather than the start of refinery operations.
Ruto promises Kenyan shareholding
Ahead of the launch, President Ruto said the government would hold a stake in the refinery and that ordinary Kenyans would have an opportunity to buy shares through the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
He pledged transparency in the project’s ownership and operations but did not provide a share price, a listing timetable or the proportion of equity to be offered to the public.
“The Government of Kenya will have a stake in the project, and ordinary Kenyans will also have an opportunity to own shares through the Nairobi Securities Exchange,” he said.
Land dispute remains before court
The preparations come amid an unresolved dispute over land earmarked for the development.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court has directed parties to maintain the status quo on the disputed property pending an October 14 hearing.
The case was brought by 133 farmers and occupiers in the Hindi/Manda/Magogoni area who say they were excluded from acquisition, compensation and resettlement arrangements.
The interim order does not expressly cancel the groundbreaking ceremony.
However, the requirement to preserve the existing condition of the disputed property remains in force, and the residents’ claims have yet to be determined.
