“You Cannot Speak to Us Like That” — Sifuna Takes Swipe at Dangote Over His Warning to Kenyans

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticised comments made by Aliko Dangote over opposition to the planned refinery in Lamu.

Sifuna said investors coming to Kenya must respect the concerns raised by Kenyans and should not respond harshly to people who question their projects.

“Dangote has said that if you have a problem with the project, he will deal with you. You cannot speak to us like that if you want to invest in our country,” Sifuna said.

His remarks come on the same day President William Ruto and Dangote officially broke ground for the proposed East Africa Refinery in Lamu.

The $16 billion project is planned to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It is expected to supply petroleum products to Kenya and other markets in East Africa when completed.

The refinery has attracted both support and opposition, particularly over land and environmental concerns.

More than 100 Lamu residents have taken the land dispute to court, saying their interests in parts of the project area have not been properly addressed. Dangote, however, has said compensation had already been handled by the government.

The court has ordered that the existing situation on the disputed land be maintained until the matter is considered further on October 14. The order did not stop the official groundbreaking ceremony.

Dangote has maintained that his company is ready to face the legal challenges surrounding the project. He previously said those who wanted to challenge the refinery in court were free to do so.

Sifuna’s remarks therefore come as the refinery enters a new stage, with construction machinery already at the site and the project receiving support from the national government.

The senator’s comments also highlight the debate over how major investments should balance economic development with the concerns of communities affected by such projects.

With construction now underway, attention will remain on the court case, compensation questions and the opportunities the refinery is expected to create for Lamu residents and other Kenyans.

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