President William Ruto has issued a warning to individuals and groups opposing the proposed Sh2.2 trillion East African Oil Refinery in Lamu, insisting that the project will proceed despite the controversy surrounding it.
Ruto said the refinery was scheduled for groundbreaking on Wednesday and vowed that his administration would not allow what he described as attempts to sabotage investment in the country.
“We are starting a refinery in Lamu tomorrow, God willing,” the President said.
Ruto argued that the refinery would significantly transform Lamu and the wider region, while accusing some individuals of using shareholding disputes to frustrate investors.
He pointed to Dangote’s earlier interest in setting up a cement company in Kenya, alleging that the Nigerian businessman was subjected to prolonged disputes over shares.
The President further claimed that similar manoeuvres contributed to the regional oil pipeline being routed through Tanzania.
“I am telling those people, you cannot fool us all the time,” Ruto said, warning those he accused of attempting to interfere with the refinery investment.
The comments come as the proposed project faces opposition from sections of the Lamu community over land rights and compensation.
On Monday, 133 residents from Chandavai filed a case at the Environment and Land Court in Malindi seeking to halt activities on land they claim their families have occupied and cultivated for generations. They argue that affected families should be compensated and provided with a resettlement plan.
Justice Jane Onyango declined to stop the planned groundbreaking but ordered that the prevailing status quo on LR No. 13061 be maintained until October 14, when the application will be heard between the parties.
The planned refinery has an estimated cost of Sh2.2 trillion, with a proposed processing capacity of 700,000 barrels per day. Preparations for the project have accelerated, including the arrival of thousands of tonnes of construction equipment at Lamu Port.
Ruto also took aim at critics of the government’s affordable housing programme, accusing some leaders of opposing development for political reasons.
He said projects should not be rejected simply because they are being implemented outside Nairobi, arguing that Kenyans in other parts of the country also deserve major developments.
“Is it only when apartments are built in Nairobi that there is no problem? When they are built in Kilifi, there is a problem?” he asked.
Ruto said leaders should be judged by their development record and concrete achievements rather than political rhetoric.
His remarks came on the same day that police in Lamu Island used teargas to disperse hundreds of residents who had gathered at Mkunguni Gardens for a demonstration over the refinery. The protesters said they wanted greater involvement in the project and more information about its potential impact on the local community.
