Lamu is under tight security as government officials, regional leaders and investors arrive for the groundbreaking of the proposed Ksh 2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is among the senior officials expected at Wednesday’s ceremony, which President William Ruto will preside over and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote will attend.
Dangote arrived in Lamu on Tuesday, while heavy machinery linked to the project has already reached the Port of Lamu. About 2,930 tonnes of construction equipment were delivered through the port on September 26.
Lamu County Commissioner Stephen Sangolo said authorities had arranged a major gathering, with up to 14 heads of state and about 2,000 guests expected to attend the ceremony. Security and logistical preparations have been intensified ahead of the event.
The refinery is planned for the Magogoni area within the Lamu Port and LAPSSET corridor. It is expected to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is targeted for completion by 2030.
The project is being positioned as a major energy and industrial investment for Kenya and the wider East African region. It is expected to support petroleum processing, petrochemical activities and other businesses while reducing the region’s dependence on imported refined fuel.
The government has also linked the refinery to job creation and the development of Lamu as an energy and industrial hub. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has previously said the project could create about 50,000 jobs.
The groundbreaking comes amid a legal dispute over part of the land earmarked for the development.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court is handling a case filed by Salim Tima Swale and 132 other residents over LR No. 13061 in the Hindi/Manda/Magogoni area.
The residents have challenged activities on the disputed property, saying they have occupied and used the land for generations. The court has directed parties to maintain the status quo as the case proceeds, with the matter scheduled for further hearing on October 14.
The legal dispute has not stopped plans for the groundbreaking ceremony, although the court proceedings could affect activities on the contested land.
The refinery is expected to serve Kenya and other East African markets once operational. Its development is part of wider plans to expand petroleum infrastructure around the Lamu Port and strengthen the region’s capacity to process crude oil locally.
The arrival of construction equipment and senior government officials has set the stage for the formal launch of the project, with attention now turning to Wednesday’s ceremony and the next phase of development.
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