DP Kindiki Announces Start Date for East Africa Refinery Construction in Lamu

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that preparations are underway for the launch of the East Africa Refinery Project in Lamu.

Speaking from his office on Tuesday, September 22, the Deputy President said the event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30.

Kindiki said the government was holding regular meetings to assess preparedness for the launch, which is expected to bring together senior regional leaders and members of the local community.

"We are having a regular meeting on the preparedness around the launch of the East Africa Refinery Project, which is going to happen on September 8, 2026, in Lamu. This is a very, very important project for our country and for the region," he said.

Kindiki said the refinery project was expected to provide petrochemical refinery services and support industrial operations in the region.

He added that President William Ruto was expected to host several heads of state and government from the region during the launch, while the local community would also participate in the event.

"It is going to provide petrochemical refinery services and industrial operations for this region. We are expecting President William Ruto to host a number of heads of state and government from the region. We are also expecting the local community to be part of this launch, and the event is on course," he added.

Kindiki said preparations had entered the final stages, with authorities working on protocol, the event programme, security and logistics to ensure the launch was conducted according to the importance attached to the project.

"We are now putting up the final preparations to ensure that all the guests who come receive the right protocol reception, that the programme of the event is managed in accordance with the stature of this event, and that security and logistics are organised to the standards of this event," he further said.

This comes months after Ruto announced that the planned refinery will create 60,000 job opportunities. 

Speaking on Friday, July 10, Ruto said he has held discussions with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, who is the main investor in the project, about the jobs that will be created.

"We will now build the East Africa oil refinery here in Lamu, and it will require 60,000 young people to work on the project. 

"I have spoken with the investor, our brother Aliko Dangote. The refinery will create employment opportunities for our youth," he said. 

Ruto also noted that the refinery will serve the entire East African region, including Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

"The refinery will not serve Kenya alone; it will serve Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and even the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)," he added.