Lamu leaders back Ruto for second term to oversee Dangote oil refinery project
A section of Lamu County leaders has backed President William Ruto’s re-election, saying he should remain in office to oversee the completion of the Dangote oil refinery project in the region. Speaking during a press conference in Mombasa on Monday, September 21, 2026, the leaders said there was no need to change governments and bring […]
Lamu's influential leaders have expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming Ksh2.2 trillion Dangote Oil Refinery project, slated to be inaugurated by the Head of State. However, they are also advocating for the prioritization of local youth in employment, business, and other opportunities stemming from this significant investment.
Former Lamu East MP Hashim Fumo, who led the group, highlighted that the project will propel Lamu economically and position the county as a key hub for capital-intensive ventures. Fumo praised Capt. William Ruto, the CEO of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), for enhancing the functionality of the Port of Lamu, which has led to increased foreign direct investment.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining Capt. Ruto's tenure to ensure the project's success and continuity.
Opinion leader Hashim Omar stated that the project should prioritize inclusive participation to safeguard the interests of Lamu's residents, suggesting that 70% of the jobs should be reserved for locals. Nudhar Abdulrahaman, a Mechanical Engineering student, argued that local youth should be given priority in employment over the outsourcing of skilled workers.
The proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery is expected to anchor Lamu's industrial growth and reduce the region's reliance on imported fuel. Once operational, the refinery will be the largest private-sector investment in Kenya, creating approximately 60,000 jobs. Dangote's refinery in Lekki, Nigeria, began operations in January 2024, marking the second Dangote refinery globally.
The decision to site the refinery in Lamu has elicited mixed reactions. The county, once considered marginalised, is now benefiting from infrastructure projects and private-sector investments. Lamu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts the Lamu Port, the first component of the LAPSSET Corridor project. The port, which currently has three operational berths, aims to expand with Phase Two, including a liquid bulk terminal and an agri-bulk terminal.
These additions will cater to a regional demand of 70 million tonnes of agricultural bulk cargo by 2045 and Kenya's projected refined petroleum demand of 16.3 million tonnes. The government is also exploring a landlord model for certain port operations to improve efficiency and competitiveness.
Written by urgent.news from KBC's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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