Ruto warns ‘brokers’ against frustrating Sh2.9 trillion Dangote refinery project

President William Ruto has warned political and business interests against frustrating the construction of a multi-billion-shilling oil refinery in Lamu by Nigerian billionaire investor Aliko Dangote.

His remarks came days after the Malindi Environment and Land Court issued orders maintaining the status quo on the proposed refinery site following a case filed by Lamu residents opposing the project.

The lawsuit was filed by 133 residents of Chandavai, an area in Lamu county, who say the land where the refinery is planned is their ancestral heritage and that their families have lived and farmed there for generations.

The court order dated September 25 directed that the “status quo prevailing” on the land be maintained until October 14, 2026, when the application will be heard.

Responding to the development, Ruto said he was aware the case was being pushed by certain individuals whose attempts to invest in the refinery through the purchase of shares had been frustrated.

Speaking in Kilifi on Tuesday, Ruto said he would pull out all the stops to ensure the individuals do not frustrate construction of the mega project, estimated to be worth between Sh2.2 trillion and Sh2.9 trillion.

“I want to tell those people, you cannot defraud us all the time. Because of these shares brokers, Kenya lost investors,” Ruto said.

He cited the failed 2013 plan to establish a cement factory by Dangote, which eventually stalled and was later abandoned due to bureaucratic hurdles, corruption demands and limestone sourcing challenges.

“He (Dangote) was taken round with demands until he went elsewhere,” Ruto said.

The President also cited Uganda’s 2014 plan to build a joint crude oil pipeline through Kenya, which it eventually abandoned in favour of a route through Tanzania.

“These same scammers took Uganda in circles until Uganda took the pipeline to Tanzania. The same brokers are now thinking they will frustrate Dangote. I want to tell you, niko macho mbaya sana. Hapa, hamtoboi bwana,” Ruto said.

The President spoke moments after Dangote Group said the court ruling would not halt the groundbreaking ceremony for the planned 700,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery, although it could affect some activities at the site.

“The court has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery at this stage. However, activities at the site may be affected by the ruling as both parties are required not to carry activities until the case is heard on 14th October,” the company headed by Africa’s richest man said in a statement.

The Lamu refinery is expected to replicate the success of Dangote’s 700,000-barrel-per-day plant near Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, which helped turn Nigeria from a major fuel importer into a growing exporter.

Dangote has said he expects the Lamu refinery to cost between $15 billion and $16 billion and hopes to complete it by 2030