Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has expressed support for the Sh2.2 trillion Dangote refinery in Lamu, but emphasized that the project must benefit the wider Kenyan public. He made these remarks on September 30, after visiting abducted activist Collins Odhiambo at Life Care Hospital. Kalonzo stated that the Opposition's position on major investments should not be mistaken for hostility towards foreign capital. He stressed that Kenyans have a right to examine major agreements and projects to establish whether they are being implemented transparently and whether the country will receive the expected benefits.
Kalonzo's comments followed the groundbreaking of the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu, an event attended by President William Ruto and other leaders and dignitaries. The Wiper leader said that the Opposition supports foreign direct investment but would continue to question major projects where it believes due process must be followed and the public interest protected. He pointed out that some claim that the Opposition opposes everything, even foreign investment in Kenya, but insisted that this is not true.
The Dangote refinery is planned to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is expected to support industrial and infrastructure development around Lamu Port and the wider LAPSSET corridor. Nigerian investor Aliko Dangote, whose company is developing the project, said the refinery would take 40 months to complete. Kalonzo also recalled his involvement in the early plans for the LAPSSET project alongside former President Mwai Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Kalonzo said that Lamu Port and LAPSSET were part of the Vision 2030 plans developed during the Kibaki administration, when Raila served as Prime Minister. He emphasized that President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and he were part of the leadership that developed Vision 2030, in which LAPSSET and Lamu Port became flagship projects. Kalonzo added that Lamu Port has immense potential, and they remain committed to the vision they had for it.
Kalonzo's concerns centre on how such projects are structured and the people who eventually benefit from them. He maintained that the Opposition has a responsibility to scrutinise government deals and cited its opposition to agreements involving the Adani Group as part of that oversight role. He mentioned that when they objected to Adani deals, President Ruto was forced to withdraw that alleged privatisation of JKIA and also Ketraco.
President Ruto and other government supporters have rallied behind the Lamu refinery project, with the President warning individuals he accused of attempting to frustrate the investment. ODM leader Oburu Oginga, whose party is part of the broad-based government, also expressed support for the refinery and urged residents of Lamu and the Coast region to reject efforts to derail the project.
Kalonzo concluded that it's the moment for Africa, but maintained that the push for investment must be matched by proper scrutiny of its implementation and the benefits it brings to citizens. He emphasized that Kenyans must be the ones to benefit from the project, and that the Opposition will not support deals that enrich a few individuals.
Key points
- The Wiper leader demands due process and benefits for Kenyans in the Sh2.2 trillion Dangote refinery project.
- Kalonzo recalls his involvement in the early plans for the LAPSSET project alongside former President Mwai Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
- The Opposition supports foreign direct investment but will scrutinise major projects to ensure transparency and public interest.
