President William Ruto has hit out at critics of the Sh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Refinery, accusing them of attempting to frustrate investment and derail development projects.
Speaking in Shanzu, Mombasa, during his Coast tour, Ruto said his administration would not be intimidated by opposition to the refinery, insisting that protecting investors was a priority.
The President described some of those challenging the project as “extortionists” and alleged that powerful individuals were behind efforts to frustrate investors and government projects.
Ruto also accused some critics of using demands for bribes to frustrate governors and other leaders, saying such actions amounted to opposing development.
The President maintained that no amount of criticism would force his administration to abandon the Lamu refinery, which was officially launched at a groundbreaking ceremony in Lamu on Wednesday.
The $16 billion (about Sh2.2 trillion) project, backed by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, is expected to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and supply refined petroleum products to Kenya and other East African markets.
The project has, however, faced opposition over land ownership, compensation and environmental concerns, with a court dispute involving residents from the project area still ongoing.
Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho defended the administration’s development agenda at the Coast, saying the region had benefited from significant investments under Ruto’s government.
Joho further suggested that the Coast would respond politically in the 2027 General Election, although he did not elaborate on specific electoral arrangements.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir also waded into the political debate, saying ODM had settled on Ruto as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Ruto was accompanied by several Coast leaders during his tour.
