Kenyan Court Halts Dangote Refinery Work as Firm Insists Groundbreaking Will Proceed

A Kenyan court has ordered a temporary halt to construction activities on the planned Dangote oil refinery in Lamu County, following a land dispute raised by local residents.

The Dangote Group, however, says the ruling does not stop the scheduled groundbreaking ceremony.

The Malindi Environment and Land Court, under Judge Jane Onyango, directed that the “status quo prevailing” on the disputed land be maintained until a further hearing on October 14.

The order was issued on September 25 and made public on Monday.The case was brought by 133 residents of Chandavai in Lamu County.

They allege forceful eviction, destruction of their properties and crops, and say the land is ancestral property their families have occupied and farmed for generations.

The petitioners also claim the project lacks a proper resettlement plan, has not completed a mandatory environmental impact assessment, and failed to meet constitutional requirements for public participation.

Lawyer George Wakahiu, representing the petitioners, said the ruling means no construction should begin until the court reconvenes on October 14.

In a statement reported by Reuters, the Dangote Group said the court has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony itself.

“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 stated.

The $15–16 billion project is planned as a 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery. Kenyan President William Ruto has described it as a regional initiative that will boost industrial activity, create jobs and develop skills across East Africa.

During a recent visit to the Dangote refinery in Lekki, Lagos, Ruto said his government had secured the land and was fast-tracking administrative processes to avoid delays.

Aliko Dangote has indicated the Lamu facility will be larger than the company’s existing Nigerian plant, with completion targeted around 2030.

The groundbreaking remains scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, according to the company and Kenyan officials, while site activities stay restricted pending the October 14 court hearing.