Wiper Patriotic Front spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru has urged the Kenyan government to address land concerns related to the planned Dangote refinery in Lamu. Njiru emphasized that residents affected by the refinery and the wider Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor projects must be involved in decisions concerning their land and livelihoods. He argued that communities hosting major investments should also have a share in the benefits. Njiru made these remarks during an interview on Radio Generation on September 30, 2026.
The planned Dangote refinery in Lamu is a major investment that has sparked concerns among local residents. Njiru stated that the project should not move forward without clear answers on land rights, compensation, public participation, and how host communities will benefit from the investment. He stressed that the scale of the planned investments made it important to resolve concerns raised by residents before implementation progresses. Njiru also questioned whether a full feasibility study had been carried out to establish the likely social, economic, and environmental effects of the refinery.
Njiru called for a clear agreement on how the host community would benefit from the refinery, while also seeking details on compensation for residents who could lose land because of the project. He noted that the LAPSSET corridor was conceived during the Grand Coalition government as a major transport project intended to open up northern Kenya and improve connections with other parts of East Africa. However, Njiru emphasized that the project must be governed by the rule of law and protect the interests of affected residents.
The Lamu refinery project has been met with resistance from local residents, who have pursued both protests and a court case over land earmarked for the refinery. More than 130 residents have moved to the Environment and Land Court in Malindi, saying they have lived on and cultivated parts of the disputed land for generations and should have their interests considered in the acquisition and compensation process. The court ordered the status quo on the disputed parcel to be maintained until a hearing scheduled for October 14.
President William Ruto has defended the investment and warned against efforts to frustrate foreign investors. He stated that the government would not allow “conmen and profiteers” to interfere with genuine investments. Ruto also announced that the government will take a stake in the refinery and that ordinary Kenyans will have an opportunity to acquire shares through the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
Njiru's remarks come as the government and Dangote Group prepare to formally launch the refinery project. Despite the court dispute, Dangote Group founder Aliko Dangote has maintained that the groundbreaking will go ahead. However, the ruling could affect some activities at the project site. Njiru emphasized that raising questions about the project should not be interpreted as opposition to the refinery, but as a demand for the project to follow the law and protect the interests of affected residents.
The Dangote refinery project is a Sh2.2 trillion investment that is expected to boost trade and regional stability. However, the project has sparked concerns about land rights, compensation, and public participation. As the project moves forward, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by residents and Njiru.
Key points
- The Kenyan government must address land concerns related to the planned Dangote refinery in Lamu.
- Residents affected by the refinery and LAPSSET corridor projects must be involved in decisions concerning their land and livelihoods.
- The government will take a stake in the refinery and ordinary Kenyans will have an opportunity to acquire shares through the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
