Kenyan Court Puts Dangote Refinery Construction on Hold Pending Hearing

A Kenyan court has directed that activities linked to the proposed Dangote Refinery in Lamu County be kept on hold pending further hearing of a legal dispute involving local residents and farmers.

The Malindi Environment and Land Court issued the order after residents of Chandavai in Lamu County challenged the proposed project, alleging forced eviction and the destruction of properties.

According to a court order issued on September 25 and made public on Monday, Justice Jane Onyango directed that the “status quo prevailing” be maintained.

The court is expected to give further directions on the case on October 14.

Lawyer George Wakahiu, who represents the petitioners, told Bloomberg that the order means construction activities should not begin before the October 14 hearing.

The petitioners allege that the project involves the forced eviction of residents from their land and the destruction of properties without a resettlement plan. They also argue that the project has not complied with Kenya’s environmental requirements, including the need for an environmental impact assessment before major projects are implemented.

The residents further contend that the project did not meet constitutional requirements for public participation.

However, the Dangote Group said the court had not halted the planned groundbreaking ceremony at this stage.

In a statement reported by Reuters, the company said activities at the proposed refinery site could nevertheless be affected by the order because both sides have been directed not to carry out activities until the October 14 hearing.

The proposed refinery is expected to have a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day. Kenyan President William Ruto has said his government is fast-tracking administrative processes for the project, which he described as a regional investment that could create jobs and expand industrial activity in East Africa.

Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote has also said the proposed Kenyan refinery would be larger than the company’s existing refinery in Lagos, Nigeria.

The court case now leaves the next steps for the project subject to further directions at the October 14 hearing.