RismadarVoice Reporters
September 29, 2026
A Kenyan court has ordered that activities at the site of the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu County be put on hold pending further proceedings in a case brought by farmers and residents of Chandavai.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court directed that the “status quo prevailing” at the project site be maintained until further directions are issued.
Justice Jane Onyango issued the order on September 25, with the case scheduled to return to court on October 14.
The residents, through their lawyer, George Wakahiu, are challenging the project over allegations of forced eviction, destruction of property and inadequate plans for resettlement.
They also alleged that environmental requirements, including an environmental impact assessment, had not been fulfilled before implementation of the project.
The petitioners further questioned whether constitutional requirements for public participation had been met.
Dangote Group, however, maintained that the court order did not specifically cancel the refinery’s groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for September 30.
“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 said.
The ruling has therefore created uncertainty over what activities can proceed at the project site ahead of the next hearing.
The proposed refinery has received the backing of Kenyan President William Ruto, whose administration has been working to complete the regulatory and administrative processes required for the project.
Ruto visited the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, on Friday ahead of the planned groundbreaking in Lamu.
He said the Kenyan government had secured land for the project and was working to address outstanding requirements to prevent delays in its development.
The proposed refinery is planned to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Ruto said the project could expand industrial activity, create jobs and strengthen technical skills in Kenya and the wider East African region.
Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, has said the proposed Kenyan facility would be larger than the company’s existing refinery in Lagos.
