How Middle East oil crisis led to Ksh.2 trillion Dangote refinery in Lamu: Ruto reveals

President William Ruto has detailed how the Ksh.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu County came to be, saying the project was conceived as part of efforts to shield Kenya and the wider region from disruptions in the global oil supply chain.

President William Ruto speaks during a media engagement at State House, Mombasa, on October 1, 2026. PHOTO | PCS

Speaking to the media on Thursday evening at State House, Mombasa, a day after the groundbreaking ceremony in Lamu, Ruto said the idea gained momentum after Kenya experienced challenges in accessing fuel during disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.

“Huu ni mradi ambao nilifikiria kwa muda. Na kwa sababu tulianza kupata changamoto hapa ya mafuta wakati matatizo yalitokea kule Middle East, Iran ilipopata shida, kuna sehemu inaitwa Strait of Hormuz,” Ruto said.

“Hatukuaki tuwe na matatizo ya kila mara bila ya kutafuta mbinu za kuyatatua, ili tusije wakati mwingine tena tukaingia katika shida hiyo hiyo."

Source: Citizen Digital