The groundbreaking ceremony for the Sh2 trillion Dangote East African Refinery on Wednesday turned Lamu into a military zone.
The heavy military presence started to be felt on Tuesday during final preparations for the function.
Military officers and other security agencies were present right from the Mokowe main Jetty, the main entry into Lamu Island, the roads, the air and even at the Lamu Port site in Kililana, where the event was held.
Kenya's President William Ruto and President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote walk amid heavy machinery, on the day of a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an East African oil refinery in Lamu, Kenya, September 30, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
The usually tranquil region experienced a massive security transformation, temporarily turning the mainland areas of Mokowe, Hindi, Mpeketoni and Lamu Port into a heavily fortified military zone.
President William Ruto, several other Heads of State, representatives and Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote oversaw the historic groundbreaking.
Kenya's President William Ruto and President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote walk amid heavy machinery on the day of a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an East African oil refinery in Lamu, Kenya, September 30, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
On Wednesday morning, the skies above Manda Island and the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor buzzed with continuous activity.
Military and police helicopters hovered overhead on regular reconnaissance loops, securing the airspace for incoming VIP private jets and state aircraft landing at the nearby Manda Bay airfield and Manda Airport.
At sea, security was also tightened.
The Indian Ocean waters right from Lamu Island Town up to the Lamu Port site in Kililana, where there are three berths, had heavy security patrols.
Specialised Kenya Navy vessels and high-speed security boats created a strict maritime buffer zone to protect the deep-water port infrastructure and prevent any unauthorised dhows or boats from approaching the launch site. A larger military vessel was seen anchored in the waters.
On the ground, multi-agency security teams consisting of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), General Service Unit (GSU), among others, cordoned off the Kililana area.
Those entering the Lamu Port site in Kililana had to undergo a series of identification and frisking before they were allowed entry.
President William Ruto and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dangote East African Refinery in Lamu County, Kenya.
Photo credit: PCS
Inside the port, the atmosphere was charged with excitement as community leaders, youths, and various delegates filled the venue to witness the unveiling of the new facility.
Air traffic was heavy as choppers streamed into the Lamu Port with delegates, both national and from outside the country.
At exactly 12.22pm, President Ruto together with his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed scooped soil with shovels to demonstrate the official groundbreaking of the refinery project.
A flypast by the KDF shortly afterwards was used to indicate a secure airspace, fit for a project of such magnitude.
In his speech, Mr Dangote gave a glimpse of behind-the-scenes activities during President Ruto’s recent tour of his oil factory in Lagos, Nigeria.
The industrialist revealed that First Lady Rachael Ruto was very inquisitive about the factory, to an extent that he believed she acquired enough knowledge in chemical engineering during the tour.
Mr Dangote, who was accompanied by a delegation of more than 50 people, further revealed how former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo became like his site manager when he was constructing his cement factory in Nigeria.
The former President, who was also at the event, stated that he had to be on the front line because there were complaints about corruption and interference, which threatened to derail the ambitious project.
During the week, Lamu's resilience in the business sector was tested. Businesses reaped big, with all accommodation facilities filled, as other businesses such as eateries, car wash services, petrol stations, among others also recorded high customer traffic.
Kenya's President William Ruto and President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote walk amid heavy machinery, on the day of a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an East African oil refinery in Lamu, Kenya, September 30, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
Flights to Lamu’s Manda Airport were fully booked as traffic built up ahead of the highly anticipated groundbreaking ceremony.
The surge in travel had overwhelmed local airlines operating the route, leaving business travellers, government officials and contractors seeking alternative transportation.
A spot check by the Nation on Jambojet bookings showed that the airline had no flights to Lamu from September 28-30.
