President William Ruto and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote have received a major development in the legal battle surrounding the planned Sh2.2 trillion oil refinery in Lamu County.
On Wednesday, October 14, the High Court in Malindi lifted an earlier restriction that had affected activities linked to the proposed refinery, allowing the project to proceed as a dispute over land ownership and environmental concerns continues.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Jane Onyango after 133 residents challenged the project, arguing that their property rights could be affected by the development. The residents also raised concerns about compensation and compliance with environmental requirements.
According to reports, the court identified an error in the land parcel cited in the petition. The applicants were allowed to amend their case to reflect the correct property, while the earlier restriction was lifted.
The matter is expected to return to court on November 24, 2026, for further proceedings.
The development comes two weeks after Ruto and Dangote presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery on September 30. The project is expected to become one of the biggest investments in Kenya’s energy sector.
The proposed facility is designed to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Its supporters say it could strengthen fuel supply in Kenya and other East African countries while creating employment opportunities.
However, the project has continued to face questions from residents over land rights, compensation and environmental protection. The latest ruling does not mean those concerns have been fully resolved.
The case is also separate from another legal challenge seeking information about the government’s proposed financial involvement in the refinery.
For Ruto’s administration and Dangote, the latest decision removes one legal obstacle as plans for the multibillion-dollar investment move forward.
Attention now turns to the next court proceedings and how the developers will address the concerns raised by affected residents.