Ndegwa Njiru raises environmental concerns over Dangote Lamu refinery

Lamu County's ODM leader, Oburu Oginga, has praised the Ksh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa oil refinery project, claiming it will revolutionize the region into a prominent industrial and energy center. In a recent statement, Oburu highlighted the project's potential to generate 60,000 direct and indirect jobs, offering young people in Lamu and neighboring counties the chance to gain technical skills.

The 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery will produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity, with 500 megawatts destined for the national grid, which Oburu believes will stabilize energy supply along the coast, boost local businesses, and put an end to frequent regional power outages. The ODM leader emphasized that the project will serve as an anchor for the LAPSSET corridor, fostering growth in shipping, logistics, marine infrastructure, petrochemicals, manufacturing, packaging, and fertilizer production, potentially creating an industrial cluster around the refinery.

Oburu praised President William Ruto's backing for the project, attributing its progress to the administration's efforts to overcome earlier obstacles. He also called for the active involvement of host communities, urging the government and investors to ensure fair compensation and the protection of land rights for those affected by development.

The refinery is currently facing a legal challenge from residents over land rights and compensation, with the Malindi Environment and Land Court ordering the status quo to be maintained on disputed land pending an inter partes hearing on October 14.