Lamu gears up for Sh2tn Dangote refinery groundbreaking

Preparations for the groundbreaking in Lamu/SCREENGRAB

It is all systems go for the groundbreaking of the Sh2 trillion Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu on Wednesday, with preparations at the venue underway and leaders arriving ahead of the ceremony.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki arrived in Lamu on Wednesday morning ahead of the event.

President William Ruto is expected to preside over the groundbreaking later in the day.

The ceremony will mark the formal start of construction of the planned 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery and petrochemical complex, which is expected to be built within the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor.

The project, backed by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote and the Africa Finance Corporation, is planned to process crude from Kenya’s Lokichar fields in Turkana, alongside supplies from other African producers and international markets.

Preparations for the ceremony have gained momentum in recent days, with the Port of Lamu receiving 2,930 metric tonnes of heavy construction machinery aboard MV Da Yang on September 26. The equipment is intended for the planned refinery.

The refinery is expected to serve petroleum markets across East and Central Africa and form part of a wider industrial complex in Lamu. The government estimates the wider project could create more than 60,000 jobs.

The project is also expected to support related industries, including petrochemicals, fertiliser and packaging, as part of the planned industrial complex.

The groundbreaking comes despite a land dispute involving residents and the project site. A Kenyan court ruling will not stop Wednesday’s ceremony, although Dangote said it could affect some site activities.

Dangote expects the refinery to take about three years to construct, with completion targeted around 2030.

Preparations for the groundbreaking in Lamu/SCREENGRAB

Preparations for the groundbreaking in Lamu/SCREENGRABPreparations for the groundbreaking in Lamu/SCREENGRABPreparations for the groundbreaking in Lamu/SCREENGRAB

He spoke as 133 residents seek court orders to stop activities on land earmarked for the Sh2tn project

The substantive application set for hearing on October 14

For Lamu, which has historically lagged in industrial development, the refinery represents an economic lifeline.

Ruto is expected to lead the groundbreaking ceremony in Lamu later today.