President William Ruto has announced a KSh7.5 billion investment to construct 3,000 affordable housing units in Lamu County, Kenya. This move is part of the government's preparations for the development of the proposed Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery. The housing program aims to accommodate workers and visitors expected to arrive in Lamu as the KSh 2.2 trillion refinery project takes shape. The investment is separate from other ongoing housing-related projects in the county.
The government has set aside funds for various projects in Lamu, including modern markets and student hostels, with a combined investment of KSh 6 billion. President Ruto urged private investors to prepare for the expected increase in demand for accommodation and other services by putting up hotels and related facilities. He encouraged the private sector to invest in complementary facilities and services to meet the anticipated demand as the county prepares for an influx of workers and visitors.
The announcement comes days after Ruto and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote led the groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery in Lamu on September 30. The proposed facility is expected to have a processing capacity of up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is projected to be completed within about 40 months. The project is being positioned as a major energy and industrial investment for Kenya and the wider East African region.
The Dangote refinery project has faced concerns over land ownership, compensation, and environmental safeguards. A group of 133 Lamu residents has challenged the use of land linked to the project, arguing that some of the affected areas have been occupied and used by families for generations. A Malindi Environment and Land Court ordered the parties to maintain the status quo on the disputed parcel pending an inter partes hearing scheduled for October 14.
President Ruto addressed concerns raised by residents over the refinery project, stating that the government would establish a standing committee comprising national and county government officials to address these issues. He assured that land-related issues would be handled lawfully and fairly, while insisting that Lamu residents should benefit from the jobs and businesses expected to emerge from the investment.
During his eight-day development tour of the Coast region, President Ruto handed over 20,189 title deeds to Lamu residents. The documents are part of a wider program targeting 300,000 ownership documents across the Coast. The beneficiaries include residents of various community lands and settlement schemes. The Coast-wide titling program aims to address historical and administrative land ownership challenges in the region.
The Dangote refinery project is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs, with the company also planning to establish a training school in Lamu to prepare local residents for employment opportunities. With the government's investment in affordable housing and infrastructure development, Lamu County is poised for significant growth and transformation in the coming years.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has invested KSh7.5 billion in affordable housing in Lamu County.
- The investment aims to accommodate workers and visitors expected for the Dangote refinery development.
- The government has established a standing committee to address residents' concerns over land and the refinery project.
