MOMBASA, Kenya—President William Ruto has vowed to protect Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote and his planned KSh2.2 trillion refinery investment in Lamu, accusing political leaders of attempting to frustrate the project through demands for the agreement and legal challenges.
Ruto said his administration would not allow what he described as vested interests to interfere with major investments, recalling the difficulties Dangote previously faced when he sought to establish a cement factory in Kenya.
The President spoke at Shanzu Teachers College in Kisauni, Mombasa County, where he accused Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna of seeking the refinery agreement on behalf of a political sponsor.
“Yesterday, I heard Mr Empty of Shiny Things asking about the agreement for the Dangote refinery. He has been sent by his sponsor to ask for it,” Ruto said.
He claimed the demand for the agreement was intended to provide information that could be used to pressure or extort Dangote.
“You know the Government and parliamentary protocols to follow in requesting for such information. But I know the real reason you are asking for the agreement is for you to take it to your sponsor to extort Mr Dangote—as you have done before,” he said.
Ruto said anyone seeking access to the agreement should follow the established parliamentary procedures.
The President also accused Sifuna of questioning the government’s development priorities despite previously criticising what he described as “shiny things” such as roads, railways and ports.
“You had told us that you have no interest in ‘shiny things’ such as roads, railways and ports. Why do you want the agreement for the refinery? Isn’t it another shiny thing?” he asked.
Ruto further accused unnamed political leaders of presenting themselves as champions of values and integrity while allegedly demanding money from governors.
“How can an extortionist like you—extorting from our governors and extorting devolution—dare tell us about values?” he said.
His remarks came a day after Sifuna questioned why Parliament had not been given access to the agreement between the government and Dangote Group, arguing that lawmakers needed to know the commitments Kenya had made towards the project.
Sifuna has since responded by citing Article 35 of the Constitution, which provides for citizens’ access to information held by the State and requires the State to publish and publicise important information affecting the nation.
The KSh2.2 trillion refinery is planned for Lamu and is expected to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The project faces ongoing legal challenges linked to land and environmental concerns.
Ruto said the government would continue protecting investors and ensuring that major projects were not derailed by what he described as unnecessary interference.
