Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has requested that Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote prioritize Lamu youth for job opportunities during the construction and operation of the Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery. The governor made the request at the groundbreaking and launch ceremony at the Lamu Port. He noted that the county has invested heavily in equipping young people with employable skills through free Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.
The Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery, set to be built in Magogoni, is a Sh2.2 trillion (approximately USD 17 billion) project that will process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily. The refinery will supply refined fuel along the LAPSSET Corridor to Isiolo, Moyale, and Ethiopia. According to project organizers, the refinery is expected to create up to 60,000 jobs, providing a significant economic boost to the region.
Governor Timamy expressed his gratitude to Mr. Dangote for choosing Lamu as the site of the East African refinery. He believes that the project will drive development in Lamu and spur growth along Kenya's Northern Corridor. The governor also emphasized that the influx of workers and investors will increase demand for housing, food, transport, and other services, benefiting the local economy.
However, not all residents are in favor of the project. A section of residents held a protest on Lamu Island, demanding clear compensation and land assurances. They expressed fears of displacement from ancestral land occupied for generations, citing past experiences with large infrastructure projects. The Environment and Land Court in Malindi has ordered all parties to maintain the status quo on the disputed land until a hearing on October 14, 2026.
Governor Timamy described those opposed to the project as "enemies of progress" and expressed confidence that most Lamu residents support it. In contrast, Mr. Dangote pledged to return and commission the refinery 40 months from the launch date. He mentioned that the project began as a plan for a fertilizer plant before evolving into a refinery, with over 110 pieces of equipment already available and 400 more expected within 60 days.
The project has already started generating activity in the region, with Lamu Port handling more traffic linked to the project. Last week, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) offloaded 2,993 metric tonnes of refinery construction equipment, with about 40 more vessels carrying similar cargo expected later this year. The ceremony was attended by several high-profile delegates, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Mr. Dangote emphasized the importance of processing natural resources locally, stating that Africa cannot build lasting prosperity by exporting what it has and importing what it needs. With the refinery's expected completion, the region is likely to experience significant economic growth and development. The project's impact on the local community and the environment will be closely monitored as it progresses.
Key points
- Lamu Governor Issa Timamy requests that Dangote prioritize local youth for job opportunities at the Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery.
- The refinery is expected to create up to 60,000 jobs and drive development in Lamu and along Kenya's Northern Corridor.
- Some residents have expressed concerns about the project, citing fears of displacement and the need for clear compensation and land assurances.
