Dangote Refinery Project Hits Legal Hurdle in Kenya Over Alleged Forced Evictions

By Our Correspondent

A Kenyan court has ordered a suspension of activities at the proposed Dangote refinery site in Lamu County, following petitions by farmers and residents alleging forced eviction and destruction of property.

Justice Jane Onyango of the Malindi Environment and Land Court ruled that the “status quo prevailing” be maintained, effectively barring any construction at the site pending further directions on October 14.

The order, issued on September 25 and made public on Monday, followed complaints by residents of Chandavai in Lamu County.

According to Bloomberg, the petitioners alleged “forceful eviction from their lands, damage and destruction of their properties” without any resettlement plan.

They also claimed the project had not complied with Kenya’s environmental laws, which require a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment before major projects, and failed to conduct the public participation required by the Constitution.

George Wakahiu, lawyer to the petitioners, said the ruling means no construction should commence until the court reconvenes.

However, the Dangote Group, in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, clarified that the court had not stopped the groundbreaking ceremony.

“The court has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery at this stage. However, activities at the site may be affected by the ruling, as both parties are required not to carry out activities until the case is heard on 14th October,” the company said.

The ruling comes days after Kenyan President William Ruto said his government was fast-tracking approvals for the project.

Ruto spoke on Friday during a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, ahead of the planned September 30 groundbreaking for the 700,000-barrel-per-day facility in Lamu — which Dangote said would be bigger than the Nigerian plant.

Ruto said land had been secured and bureaucratic bottlenecks were being cleared to ensure timely construction, describing the refinery as a regional project that would boost industry, jobs, and technical skills in East Africa.