Ndindi Nyoro warns Dangote deal could lock Kenya out of cheaper fuel imports

Ndindi Nyoro, an MP from Kiharu and leader of the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK), has expressed concerns that the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu could limit Kenya's access to cheaper fuel imports from other markets if the government commits to purchasing fuel exclusively from the facility. During an engagement with Meru journalists in Chuka on October 3, 2026, Nyoro questioned whether Kenya would be able to import petroleum products from abroad if the agreement requires the country to buy a certain volume of fuel from the Lamu refinery.

He argued that global fuel prices might occasionally fall below the price offered by the Dangote refinery, which could result in Kenya paying higher prices if it is tied to the project through a long-term agreement. Nyoro stated that the arrangement could lead to Kenya purchasing approximately 50 million liters of fuel from the refinery each month.

He emphasized that Kenyans should be allowed to scrutinize the terms of the government's agreement with Dangote, despite the fact that the demand for transparency is not opposed to foreign investment. Nyoro also questioned the ownership structure of the Kenyan company behind the refinery, Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery, and sought the publication of the shareholder register for the company, which he differentiated from Dangote's existing refinery in Nigeria.

Regarding the land commitment for the project, Nyoro questioned the value of the 7,000 acres of public land being provided for the refinery and the return Kenya would receive in exchange. He also raised concerns about the terms of the proposed power component of the project, which could involve the government purchasing electricity generated by the refinery, comparing it to agreements used by independent power producers with take-or-pay contracts.