A Kenyan court has ordered a temporary halt to activities at the site of Aliko Dangote’s proposed $16 billion oil refinery in Lamu County, following a petition by local residents.
The order was issued by Judge Jane Onyango after 133 residents of the Chandavai area challenged the project, arguing that their ancestral land rights could be affected by the development.
The petitioners also raised concerns over alleged lack of a resettlement and compensation plan, as well as claims that the required environmental impact assessment and public participation had not been completed.
The court directed that the existing situation at the project site be maintained pending further proceedings scheduled for October 14.
Despite the ruling, the Dangote Group said the planned groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery would still proceed. However, the company acknowledged that other activities at the site could be affected by the court order until the case is heard.
The proposed refinery, which is expected to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, is intended to help reduce East Africa’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products.
Kenyan President William Ruto has expressed support for the project, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen the country’s industrial capacity and create wider economic opportunities.
