Lamu land dispute: CS Wahome says Dangote oil refinery land is govt property

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome defended the government's stance on land designated for the Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu, claiming the majority of the land belongs to the government and is thus public property. Wahome assured the public that the government would support the multi-billion shilling project and address land-related concerns through public involvement as Kenya aims to facilitate the investment.

Speaking to journalists in Nairobi on October 5, 2026, she emphasized the refinery's significance, estimating the project at Ksh2 trillion. Wahome urged Kenyans to recognize the potential economic gains, such as the anticipated employment of 60,000 individuals once operational. The Cabinet Secretary's remarks come amidst debates over land ownership and the process for making land available for the refinery.

Wahome reiterated that the government would actively engage stakeholders through public participation to facilitate the development. She clarified that the majority of the land for the refinery is government-owned, equating it to public land. Her comments are expected to fuel further discussions surrounding the land component of the refinery project, as the government seeks to balance the economic benefits with concerns raised by local communities and stakeholders.

The Dangote East Africa Refinery project, launched by President William Ruto in Lamu, aims to strengthen Kenya's petroleum infrastructure and generate thousands of jobs. Wahome argued that the project's scale justifies strong government support and efforts to resolve outstanding issues, signaling the administration's commitment to proceed with the refinery despite emerging land-related questions.