Judge declines to stop construction of Lamu refinery

A court in Kilifi has declined to halt the planned commencement of construction for an oil refinery in Lamu. Justice Jane Onyango of the Environment and Land Court ruled that the plans for the refinery project are well underway, with a ground-breaking scheduled for Wednesday. She stated that the application was not deemed urgent and that the respondents must be served with the request within 14 days.

The case is set for further hearing on October 14, 2026. The court's decision means that the status quo, as of October 14, 2026, must be maintained. The plaintiffs, consisting of over 133 residents of Chandavai in Lamu County, challenged the Sh2 trillion oil refinery project being developed by Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man.

They argued that the development threatens to displace them without proper resettlement plans or compensation. The residents have occupied, cultivated, and used the land for generations, claiming it is community land under the Lamu County Government's stewardship. They stated that the proposed refinery project, along with related infrastructure developments, could cause irreparable damage to their land, including the destruction of crops, trees, homes, and other property.

The residents also alleged that government and LAPSSET officers entered their land in August 2024, destroying crops, trees, and other property without prior notice or compensation. They claimed that the land was acquired for the LAPSSET project and later allocated to the Ministry of Defence for infrastructure works around Manda Bay and other facilities.

The plaintiffs further alleged that the government commenced a compulsory acquisition process in September 2026, intending to compensate absentee landowners while excluding those who have occupied and used the land for generations.