NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has hit back at President William Ruto over his demand for access to the agreement between the Kenyan government and Dangote Group on the proposed Sh2.2 trillion refinery in Lamu.
Sifuna invoked Article 35 of the Constitution, which provides for citizens’ right of access to information held by the State and requires the State to publish and publicise important information affecting the nation.
“Article 35 (1): Every citizen has the right of access to information held by the State,” Sifuna said.
He added: “Article 35 (3): The State SHALL publish and publicise any important information affecting the nation.”
Sifuna said access to government information was a constitutional obligation rather than a matter dependent on the discretion of an individual office holder.
“Disclosure of information is a Constitutional imperative not something left to the whims of one person,” he said.
Ruto Tells Sifuna To Use Parliament
The senator’s remarks followed Ruto’s criticism of his demand for the refinery agreement during the President’s tour of the Coast on Thursday.
Ruto told Sifuna to use parliamentary procedures to obtain the document, saying Parliament had established channels through which lawmakers could request government agreements.
“If you want the agreement, you know how it’s asked for at Parliament so that it’s brought,” Ruto said.
Ruto also accused Sifuna and other critics of seeking the agreement to frustrate or exert pressure on Dangote, and described Sifuna as an “extortionist”. He linked the criticism to what he said were difficulties Dangote previously encountered when seeking to establish a cement factory in Kenya.
Sifuna, however, has maintained that Parliament should be informed about the commitments Kenya has made in connection with the refinery.
“We are members of Parliament here and we haven’t seen the agreement for that refinery. We don’t know the commitments that this country has given for that refinery to be built,” he said in the Senate.
Sifuna Questions Secrecy Around Major Projects
Sifuna also criticised what he described as secretive government deals and linked the issue to constitutional oversight.
“The era of secretive deals negotiated in the dark will end when we kick this current regime out and return our country back to the rule of Law,” he said.
He has also raised concerns over the ongoing legal dispute involving Lamu residents who are challenging aspects of the refinery project, arguing that major development projects should comply with constitutional requirements and address concerns raised by affected communities.
The proposed refinery broke ground in Lamu on September 30, with Dangote Group saying the $16 billion project is expected to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The project is intended to serve Kenya and other regional markets.
The dispute over access to the agreement comes as the refinery project faces a separate court challenge by Lamu residents over land and environmental concerns.
