President William Ruto has assured residents of Lamu that their interests and rights will be protected as Kenya begins construction of the Sh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery.
Ruto delivered the assurance during the groundbreaking ceremony for the mega-project at Lamu Port, attended by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote and other regional leaders.
Addressing the people of Lamu, President Ruto acknowledged that residents were entitled to seek clarity on what the massive investment would mean for them.
“To the residents of Lamu county, you are entitled to ask what this means for you… Let me give you my assurance. Your interests will be taken care of, your rights protected, and your voice heard from today until this refinery runs and beyond.”
The President said the government would ensure that the local community’s concerns are addressed as the project moves from groundbreaking to construction and eventual operations.
Ruto said the refinery is not being established to serve Kenya alone, but is designed to become a major petroleum-processing hub for the wider East African region and the international market.
The facility is expected to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day when fully operational, with the project designed to strengthen regional energy security and reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
The President described the investment as a major industrial undertaking that could position Lamu as an important energy and trade hub while supporting economic activity around the region.
The refinery is expected to produce products including petrol, diesel and jet fuel for the Kenyan and regional markets, while its location at Lamu Port gives it access to international shipping routes.
The Dangote refinery project has an estimated investment value of about $16 billion, equivalent to roughly Sh2.2 trillion, making it one of the largest private-sector industrial investments planned in East Africa.
The project is also expected to generate tens of thousands of jobs during construction and operations, alongside opportunities for local businesses and industries linked to petroleum processing.
Heavy construction machinery weighing about 2,930 metric tonnes had already arrived at the Port of Lamu ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony, signalling the transition toward the construction phase.
Dangote has indicated that he expects the refinery to be completed within about 40 months, setting the stage for the facility to become operational around 2030.
The groundbreaking marks the formal beginning of a project that Kenya and its partners hope will reshape the country’s energy sector while positioning Lamu as a strategic petroleum and industrial centre for East Africa.
