Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has urged Dangote Group and the Ruto government to protect the county’s ocean, mangroves, fishing grounds and cultural heritage as construction of the Sh2.2 trillion refinery gets under way.
Governor Timamy on Wednesday said the people of Lamu must see tangible benefits from the massive investment, while ensuring the project does not damage the natural resources that support their livelihoods.
“This refinery has the potential to expand opportunities far beyond its gates. Our responsibility is to turn this opportunity into benefits that ordinary households can see and feel,” Timamy said on during the groundbreaking.
He appealed to Dangote, contractors and other companies involved in the project to give local residents priority in employment.
“That’s why I make a clear appeal today to our investors, the contractors and all those who will participate in this project to give the people of Lamu employment,” he said.
But Timamy also used his speech to put environmental protection firmly on the refinery’s agenda.
“The people of Lamu also care deeply about their environment and the livelihoods it sustains. Our oceans, mangroves, fishing grounds, beaches and cultural heritage are part of who we are,” he said.
“They support our food, income and the inheritance we will leave to our children.”
Timamy said he expected the government and Dangote to put safeguards in place to prevent pollution and deal with any environmental damage arising from the refinery.
“I am confident that the national government and the investor will ensure that effective measures are put in place to prevent pollution, minimise adverse effects and respond promptly to any harm,” he said.
The governor’s comments come as the refinery, with a planned capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, moves into construction.
Once complete, the facility is expected to supply refined petroleum products to Kenya and regional markets, including petrol, diesel and aviation fuel.
The project has been presented by President William Ruto and Dangote as a major investment that will strengthen Kenya’s energy security, create jobs and position Lamu as a regional industrial and logistics hub.
But its scale has also raised environmental concerns because of the sensitivity of Lamu’s coastal ecosystem.
Environmental campaigners have warned about the potential impact of the refinery and associated infrastructure on mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds and fishing livelihoods. They have also raised concerns over increased tanker traffic, crude oil handling and the risk of spills in coastal waters.
The concerns have become even more notable because Kenya has sought to position itself as a leader in renewable energy even as it expands petroleum infrastructure.
A recent analysis published by DiploBrief noted that renewable sources accounted for 78.79 per cent of electricity supplied to Kenya’s national grid between July and December 2025, while renewables accounted for 80.60 per cent of installed generation capacity.
President Ruto also acknowledged environmental and community concerns, saying Lamu residents had a right to ask how the project would affect their land, water, sea, fishermen, mangroves and heritage.
“These questions are not obstacles to development. They are questions that responsible development must answer,” Ruto said.
Ruto promised that environmental and social impacts would be assessed and safeguards enforced during construction and operation.
