Kenya Court Clears Way for Sh2 Trillion Dangote Refinery

The Malindi Environment and Land Court declined to stop the planned groundbreaking of a Sh2 trillion Dangote refinery in Lamu County, Kenya. The ruling follows a legal challenge by 133 residents of Chandavai who claim the project site, LR No. 13061, is ancestral property used for generations for livestock, farming, and religious purposes.

Justice Jane Onyango did not certify the residents' application as urgent and ordered that the status quo be maintained until an inter partes hearing scheduled for October 14, 2026. This directive does not expressly prevent the project from proceeding. President William Ruto is expected to attend the groundbreaking ceremony on September 30.

Once completed, the refinery is projected to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The facility serves as a central component of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.