Lamu residents protest against Sh2 trillion refinery
Residents take part in demonstrations against the Sh2 trillion Dangote East African Refinery in Lamu on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
There was tension in Lamu on Tuesday as police were forced to lob tear gas to disperse crowds during a protest over the Sh2 trillion East African refinery plant.
One person was arrested and a megaphone that was being used during the demonstration was confiscated in an attempt by the security officers to stop the protesters within Lamu Island from picketing. The police were, however, overpowered by the angry residents who went ahead and crowded outside the Lamu Central Sub-County Commissioner’s office.
They were later allowed to submit memoranda surrounding the Dangote East African Project to the Deputy County Commissioner, Kipkorir Tangus, before dispersing.
President William Ruto is expected in Lamu on Wednesday to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the multi-trillion project. The event will take place at the Lamu Port in Kililana, Lamu West.
Demonstrators, however, expressed grievances that the project is being implemented at a time when the local mwananchi remains sidelined. They want full involvement of the Lamu people right from the beginning, including at least 70 percent of jobs created by the project to go directly to benefiting the local youth.
In the petition submitted to the County Commissioner by Nominated Senator Shakila Abdalla and activists who were part of the Tuesday demonstration, they demanded information on land and agreements for the proposed Lamu oil refinery.
Ms Abdalla questioned why, up to now, there is no document or information provided to the public identifying the exact site of the refinery and even the exact size of the land allocated or being acquired for the mega project. She insisted that the Lamu community be fully involved in the project decisions rather than being treated as outsiders.
“We’re not opposed to the Dangote Project or any other investment intended for Lamu. The only issue is for us to be involved. No public participation was made for the Dangote Oil Refinery. We aren't aware whether the mentioned 60,000 jobs will benefit us, the locals, or not since no one has approached and updated us about the same,” she said.
Mr Feiswal Miji, a resident, expressed sadness that a project of that magnitude is being undertaken in their county without any Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report conducted. Mr Miji is concerned that in case of any oil spills incidents in Lamu, that means the local mwananchi, who majorly depend on fishing will suffer without any meaningful livelihood.
“We’re just hearing on social media that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dangote Oil Refinery in Lamu will be conducted this week. No public participation, no ESIA report conducted to see whether the project is environmentally friendly, nothing. We won’t allow that until we’re also consulted,” said Mr Miji.
Residents take part in demonstrations against the Sh2 trillion Dangote East African Refinery in Lamu on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) Board member, Khelef Khalifa noted that the government has been describing the East African Refinery project by Dangote as the largest investment in the region.
“The people of Lamu have to be informed, educated about this so-called massive, mega investment, not just dropping such a venture to them. It’s unconstitutional and failure to provide such crucial information within 21 days, we shall seek legal redress,” said Mr Khalifa.
He added, “The people of Lamu have the right to such information, and get updated to enable them to take part in decisions pertaining to their environment and their land.”
Lamu Youth Leader Ahmed Famau said he was deeply worried about job exclusion, uncompensated land displacements and the lack of environmental safeguards ahead of the groundbreaking for the Dangote East African Oil Refinery in their county tomorrow.
“The project isn’t bad. It’s a good venture but the national government and even our county government is forcing us to reject it. We can’t have such a mega project with a huge economic potential but in reality, we aren’t involved. Let them bring us onboard first at the host community before anything else,” said Mr Famau.
Mr Mohamed Bin Ali, another protester, called for independent environmental and social impact assessments to safeguard local marine life, fisheries, and mangrove ecosystems.
Speaking after receiving the memoranda in his office, Lamu Central Deputy County Commissioner Mr Kipkorir Tangus insisted that the government has done all it takes to ensure the public and local citizens are briefed and equipped with all the relevant information surrounding the Dangote East African Refinery to be commissioned on Wednesday.
Mr Tangus assured the residents that no one will be left out in such a critical venture, insisting that a project of such magnitude will go hand in hand with solving insecurity in the region.
"We've held meetings with county government leadership led by Governor Issa Timamy, the MPs, Senator, Woman Representative and MCAs. We've also met religious leaders and elders and briefed them about the project. Just the other day, we held a public participation forum with members of the public at the Mokowe Command Centre Hall in Hindi. We discussed the project in length and gathered their issue," said Mr Tangus.
He added, "Even when the groundbreaking ceremony is done tomorrow (Wednesday) we shall still hold progressive meetings with members of the public here. There's nothing to worry about. This is a big venture that will absorb thousands of unemployed youth and even solve the Al-Shabaab menace in this place. Let's all support it."
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