Ruto: Lamu refinery groundbreaking to proceed as planned

President William Ruto announced that the groundbreaking for the Ksh2 trillion East Africa Refinery in Lamu will go ahead as scheduled on Wednesday. The ceremony, which will feature several regional leaders and dignitaries, will take place at Lamu Port. During a recent speech, Ruto expressed optimism about the refinery's potential to transform Kenya's economy and create thousands of jobs.

"By God's grace, Inshallah, tomorrow we will launch the Sh2 trillion refinery in Lamu," he stated. Ruto also addressed those who oppose the project, accusing them of attempting to sabotage investment through court cases and public statements. He warned that such efforts are ultimately futile. Ruto criticized past attempts by brokers to derail major investments in Kenya, citing examples like Aliko Dangote's aborted cement plant and Uganda's abandoned crude oil pipeline.

The residents of Chandavai in Lamu have filed a lawsuit in the Malindi Environment and Land Court, seeking to halt activities related to the refinery over land ownership, compensation, and resettlement concerns. However, the court ruled against them, allowing the groundbreaking to proceed and ordering the parties to maintain the status quo pending a hearing on October 14.

The refinery, backed by the Dangote Group, is expected to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily and supply refined petroleum products to markets in Kenya and the broader East African region. The government anticipates significant economic benefits, including increased investment, industrialization, and employment opportunities, with an estimated 60,000 new jobs created.