Kenyan Court Stalls Dangote’s Lamu Refinery

A Kenyan court has put construction of the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu County on hold pending further hearing.

According to a Bloomberg report on Monday, Judge Jane Onyango ordered that the “status quo prevailing” be maintained.

The Malindi Environment and Land Court issued the order after farmers and residents of Chandavai opposed the project. The petitioners have alleged “forceful eviction” and the destruction of their properties in the area.

The court is expected to give further directions on October 14, following an order issued on September 25 and made public on Monday.

Lawyer George Wakahiu, who represents the petitioners, told Bloomberg that no construction should begin before the October 14 hearing.

The petitioners also alleged that the project would involve the forced removal of residents without a proper resettlement plan. They further claimed that Dangote and Kenyan authorities had not completed the mandatory environmental impact assessment required for major projects. The petitioners also argued that the refinery did not meet constitutional requirements for public participation.

However, Dangote Group said the court had not stopped the planned groundbreaking ceremony.

In a statement reported by Reuters on Tuesday, the company said the court order could affect activities at the proposed refinery 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 out activities until the case is heard on 14th October,” the statement read.

The proposed refinery is planned for Lamu County and is expected to have a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day.

According to Punch, Kenyan President William Ruto had earlier said his government was fast-tracking administrative processes for the project.

Ruto made the comments on Friday during a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, before the September 30 groundbreaking ceremony. He said the Kenyan government had secured land for the project and was working to resolve other requirements and reduce bureaucratic delays.

Ruto described the proposed refinery as a regional project that would expand industrial activity in East Africa and create jobs. He also said the project would help improve technical skills and support wider economic development across the region.

Meanwhile, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has said the planned Kenyan refinery would be larger than the existing Dangote refinery in Nigeria.

The latest court action could therefore delay activities at the project site while the legal dispute over land, environmental requirements and public participation continues.