{
  "id": 10963596,
  "title": "Ruto invokes Bible, says Lamu can become Kenya’s Bethlehem of development",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/ruto-invokes-bible-says-lamu-can-become-kenyas-bethlehem-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T14:42:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/news/ruto-invokes-bible-says-lamu-can-become-kenyas-bethlehem-of-development"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President William Ruto compared the coastal county of Lamu to Bethlehem during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ksh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery. He argued that Lamu's small size should not deter it from becoming a major economic hub, drawing parallels between Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and the refinery's potential to transform Lamu. The president dismissed critics who questioned the choice of location, stating that the refinery would bring investment and opportunities to the area. Ruto assured that the project would create up to 60,000 jobs and offer business contracts to the local population. He acknowledged concerns over land use, livelihoods, and environmental impacts, promising that these issues would be addressed fairly and responsibly during the construction and operation of the refinery. The Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery, capable of processing 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily, represents a significant investment in Kenya and the broader East African region, marking a new test of investor confidence in the country.",
  "summary": "President William Ruto has invoked the Bible’s account of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem to defend the decision to locate the Ksh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu. Speaking during the refinery’s groundbreaking ceremony in Lamu on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Ruto compared the coastal county to Bethlehem, arguing that its small size should […]",
  "key_points": [
    "President Ruto likened Lamu to Bethlehem for development potential.",
    "Ksh2.2 trillion refinery project to transform small coastal county.",
    "Job creation and business opportunities promised for local population."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Ruto warns Dangote to keep 40-month deadline for Ksh2.2T Lamu refinery",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/ruto-warns-dangote-to-keep-40-month-deadline-for-ksh2-2t-lamu-refinery",
        "published": "2026-09-30T12:22:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}