President William Ruto is set to begin his coastal region tour on Saturday, visiting six counties in the region. According to a statement from State House, the President will launch construction of the new refinery in Lamu, a project jointly undertaken by the Kenyan Government and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote. The refinery is expected to process crude from Lokichar, Turkana County, and supply refined petroleum products to markets across East and Central Africa.
The President's tour, covering Taita-Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Tana River, and Lamu counties, will provide him with an opportunity to assess the progress of Government projects in the region. During the working tour, President Ruto is expected to commission completed development projects, inspect ongoing ones, and launch new projects in the six counties. This comes after his attendance at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he held high-level talks with Aliko Dangote.
On the sidelines of the UNGA 81, President Ruto and CEO of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, focused on infrastructure and energy investments. Following the meeting, it was announced that President Ruto will visit Nigeria to personally inspect the existing refinery in Lagos to model the upcoming Kenyan establishment. The groundbreaking ceremony for the East Africa Refinery in Lamu is scheduled for September 30, 2026.
The refinery, when complete, is expected to enhance Kenya's energy security by ensuring a reliable supply of petroleum products while creating more than 500,000 jobs. President Ruto said Kenya was ready to move to the groundbreaking stage following discussions with Dangote and the African Finance Corporation. The project is expected to be a major boost to the region's economy.
During his tour, President Ruto is also expected to issue close to 200,000 title deeds across the region. In Taita-Taveta County on Saturday, he will issue 31,318 title deeds to residents of Mwatate and Voi constituencies. On Monday, while in Kwale County, he will give out 94,175 title deeds to beneficiaries in Lunga Lunga, Msambweni, and Kinango constituencies.
In Kilifi County, President Ruto is scheduled to issue 36,826 title deeds to residents of Kaloleni, Rabai, Ganze, Kilifi South, and Malindi constituencies. Additionally, he will provide 4,360 title deeds to beneficiaries in Mombasa County and 22,770 to be distributed in Lamu and Tana River counties. This move aims to provide residents with secure land ownership.
President Ruto left Kenya on Sunday, September 20, 2026, to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. He returned to Kenya and will now embark on his coastal region tour, focusing on development projects and engagements with local communities. The tour is expected to strengthen the government's commitment to regional development.
Key points
- President Ruto to launch $16 billion refinery in Lamu
- President Ruto to issue nearly 200,000 title deeds across the coastal region
- The refinery is expected to create more than 500,000 jobs and enhance Kenya's energy security
