President William Ruto has assured residents of Lamu that no one will be displaced from the main site earmarked for the proposed refinery. He stated that the government has secured about 10,000 acres for the refinery and is seeking an additional 3,000 acres for a planned Special Economic Zone (SEZ), factories, and other supporting businesses. Ruto made these remarks at State House Mombasa.
The President emphasized that the land designated for the refinery is government-owned, and the government will take responsibility for any compensation arising from the wider development. He assured residents that if anyone is affected by land requirements outside the main government-owned site, the government will handle the compensation process, not the investor.
Ruto's assurance comes amid growing attention to land, compensation, and community interests as the Lamu refinery is developed as part of a broader plan to establish an industrial hub along the coast. The government will facilitate compensation where necessary and provide infrastructure such as power, water, and roads to support investors.
The President criticized past frustrations faced by investors seeking to establish businesses in Kenya, citing Dangote's earlier attempt to build a cement factory in Kitui. Ruto recalled that Dangote approached him when he was Deputy President, and despite efforts to resolve the matter, the investment did not materialize.
Ruto argued that the experience demonstrated the need for the government to create a predictable and welcoming environment for investors. He alleged that investors had sometimes been subjected to demands for money or shares instead of being offered incentives to establish businesses.
The President announced that his administration is taking a different approach, promising incentives to investors willing to establish industries in Kenya. He cited an example of another investor planning to establish a project worth Sh33 billion in Kitui. Ruto emphasized that the government must play its part in helping investors navigate land, infrastructure, and other requirements.
The Lamu refinery project, whose groundbreaking ceremony Ruto presided over a day earlier, is being advanced alongside plans for a Special Economic Zone designed to attract manufacturing and other industries. The President reiterated that the government will continue to shoulder responsibilities such as compensation, infrastructure, and utility connections so that investors can focus on establishing productive enterprises.
Key points
- President Ruto assures Lamu residents of no displacement for the oil refinery project.
- The government has secured 10,000 acres for the refinery and seeks an additional 3,000 acres for a Special Economic Zone.
- Ruto criticizes past frustrations faced by investors in Kenya, promising a more welcoming environment.
