LAMU, Kenya — ODM party leader Oburu Oginga has urged residents of Lamu and the wider Coast region to support the proposed Sh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Refinery, as the project faces criticism and a land dispute involving local residents.
Oburu, speaking ahead of Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony, described the 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery as a major potential investment for the Coast region.
He criticised those opposing the project, referring to them as “political detractors, professional algorithmic complainers, and agents of poverty” and accusing them of seeking to derail the investment for what he described as “selfish, short-sighted gains.”
At the same time, Oburu called for host communities to be integrated into the development process, fairly compensated and protected.
Ruto Also Warns Against Opposition
Oburu’s statement came a day after President William Ruto criticised individuals he described as “shares brokers” whom he accused of frustrating major investments.
Speaking in Kilifi on Tuesday, Ruto said he would not allow such interests to derail the Dangote project. He cited previous investments involving Dangote and the proposed Uganda crude oil pipeline through Kenya as examples of projects he said had faced bureaucratic and other obstacles.
Oburu welcomed Ruto’s support for the refinery, saying the project could contribute to industrialisation and economic development at the Coast.
The proposed facility is designed to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is expected to serve markets in Kenya and other East African countries. Reuters reported that the project is valued at about $16 billion and is targeting completion by 2030.
Project Expected To Create Thousands Of Jobs
Oburu said the refinery could create more than 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity on site, with 500 megawatts potentially supplied to the national grid.
He also linked the project to the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor and said it could stimulate industries including petrochemicals, manufacturing, packaging and fertiliser production.
The ODM leader also referenced his late brother and former ODM leader Raila Odinga, saying Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote had been a long-standing family friend.
Land Dispute Remains Before Court
The refinery project is facing a legal challenge by 133 residents of Chandavai who claim ancestral rights over land earmarked for the development.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court directed parties to maintain the status quo on disputed parcel LR No. 13061 until October 14, when the matter is scheduled for an inter partes hearing. The court did not grant the applicants’ request to stop the planned groundbreaking.
The residents have raised concerns over land ownership, compensation and resettlement, among other issues.
Dangote Group has said the court order would not prevent the scheduled groundbreaking, although it acknowledged that the order could affect some activities at the site.
Regional Leaders Expected At Groundbreaking
President William Ruto is expected to lead the groundbreaking ceremony, with several regional leaders also scheduled to attend.
Those expected include Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed and Burundi’s Évariste Ndayishimiye.
Benin’s Romuald Wadagni and Togo’s Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové are also expected to attend, alongside other leaders whose participation is yet to be confirmed.
The proposed refinery is expected to take several years to complete once construction begins.
