President William Ruto has responded to the court case challenging the proposed Dangote Oil Refinery in Lamu, insisting that the multibillion-shilling project will proceed despite the legal dispute.
Speaking in Kilifi on Tuesday, September 29, Ruto accused individuals behind the court cases of attempting to frustrate Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and undermine investment in Kenya.
“You are the sponsors of those court cases because you are against this investment since you have not gotten what you have been getting. You are undermining the investment in our country, and I will not allow you,” Ruto said.
The President alleged that some individuals were attempting to pressure Dangote into giving up shares in the refinery and were prepared to frustrate the project if their demands were not met.
Ruto warned that such actions could discourage investors from bringing major projects to Kenya, recalling previous investments that he said the country had lost.
“When you have a government that, instead of facilitating investors, you are giving conditions and demands, that is how we have driven away investment. That is how we lost the Uganda crude oil pipeline and the Dangote Cement factory,” he stated.
Despite the court dispute, Ruto confirmed that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dangote Refinery would proceed on Wednesday, September 30.
He said the project would bring economic benefits to Lamu, including employment opportunities for local residents.
Ruto also confirmed that the government and ordinary Kenyans would have an opportunity to acquire shares in the refinery.
According to the President, the shares will be offered through a transparent and competitive process at the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
“All Kenyans will have a chance to buy shares through a transparent process at the NSE,” he said.
Ruto’s remarks came after 133 Lamu residents filed a case raising concerns over land rights, compensation and public participation in the proposed project.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court directed that the existing status quo be maintained on the disputed portions of the land pending further proceedings.
However, the court did not stop the planned groundbreaking ceremony itself. The case is scheduled to return to court on October 14.
The court dispute has also been accompanied by protests in Lamu, with residents demanding compensation for affected landowners and greater public participation.
The proposed refinery is expected to have a processing capacity of about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Ruto’s latest remarks signal the government’s intention to continue with preparations for the project despite the ongoing court case and concerns raised by some residents.