Kalonzo welcomes Dangote investment, recalls origins of Lamu vision

Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper party in Kenya, has expressed his welcome to Aliko Dangote's significant investment in the Lamu refinery. The President William Ruto and Dangote himself joined in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Dangote East Africa Refinery in Mokowe, Lamu County. Despite being part of the opposition, Musyoka acknowledged the significance of this investment and the potential of the Lamu Port and the broader LAPSSET corridor.

He reminded the audience that the original Vision 2030, which included these projects, was developed during his time in leadership under President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The Dangote East Africa Refinery is projected to cost approximately Sh2 trillion and is set to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Upon completion, it is expected to export refined petroleum products to Kenya and other regional markets, potentially decreasing East Africa's dependence on imported fuel. Additionally, the refinery is anticipated to generate up to 1,000 megawatts of power and create around 60,000 jobs, both direct and indirect, according to government projections.

Dangote emphasized that the refinery is not merely a commercial venture but also a demonstration of Africa's capability to undertake significant industrial projects and utilize its own resources. "Africa cannot build lasting prosperity by exporting what we have and importing what we need," he stated. President Ruto assured Dangote that the Kenyan government would protect the investment from any interference or extortion attempts, ensuring transparency in the refinery's ownership.

Kenyans would have an opportunity to acquire shares through the Nairobi Securities Exchange, with the government promising to safeguard the investment from private dealings.