Sifuna warns against secretive deals amid Dangote Oil Refinery row

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for transparency in government deals, citing Article 35 of the Constitution and warning against secretive negotiations. This follows President William Ruto's previous challenge for Sifuna to use parliamentary procedures to obtain the agreement between Kenya and the Dangote Group for the proposed oil refinery in Lamu.

Article 35 states that citizens have a right to access state-held information and that the state must publish important information affecting the nation. Sifuna argues that disclosure of such information is a constitutional obligation, not subject to individual discretion. The senator's call for transparency comes after he demanded that Parliament be shown the agreement related to the Lamu refinery.

He claimed that lawmakers have not been briefed on the commitments Kenya has made for the project, despite its scale and potential impact. Sifuna emphasizes the importance of complying with constitutional values and involving affected communities in major projects. He also criticized Dangote for his remarks during the refinery's groundbreaking ceremony, stating that investors must respect Kenyan citizens and the country's constitutional processes.

Sifuna highlighted concerns about Lamu residents who have taken the project to court, questioning why the government cannot explain the project and its implications to the affected communities. President Ruto responded that parliamentary procedures exist for lawmakers seeking government agreements, but the debate has shifted to questions about the balance between development and constitutional values.