Ruto Unveils 60,000 Jobs as Dangote’s Ksh2.2 Trillion Lamu Refinery Takes Shape
President William Ruto has announced that up to 60,000 Kenyan youths will secure employment through the planned Ksh2.2 trillion oil refinery in Lamu, a landmark project expected to transform Kenya into East Africa’s leading petroleum processing hub.
Speaking on Friday, July 10, during the rollout of the second tranche of the Nyota Programme, the President said the massive refinery, which is set to be developed by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, will create thousands of jobs during both the construction and operational phases.
Ruto said the government intends to prioritise young Kenyans for the employment opportunities, describing the refinery as one of the country’s most significant economic investments in decades.
“As you all know, Kenya is set to construct an East African refinery here in Lamu, and we will need 60,000 youths to do that job,” the President said.
The Head of State revealed that he had already held discussions with Dangote regarding the ambitious project, saying they had agreed that the refinery would primarily belong to Kenya while serving the wider East African region.
“I have talked to businessman Aliko Dangote, and we have agreed with him that the refinery, which belongs to Kenya alone, will also serve Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Ruto added.
The President said the refinery will strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional energy hub while boosting exports of refined petroleum products across neighbouring countries.
His remarks come only days after Dangote confirmed that Lamu had been selected as the preferred location for the proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery, ending months of speculation over where the mega investment would be established.
The project, estimated to cost approximately Ksh2.2 trillion, is expected to rank among the largest private industrial investments ever undertaken in Kenya. Once completed, it is expected to significantly reduce East Africa’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products while improving regional fuel security.
The refinery is also expected to mirror the scale and operational model of the Dangote Refinery located outside Lagos, Nigeria, which is recognised as one of the world’s largest single-train oil refineries.
Dangote Industries Vice President for Oil and Gas, Edwin Devakumar, recently disclosed that the company had already identified the Lamu site for the project, with soil testing currently underway alongside preliminary engineering and design work.
According to the company, the refinery will produce petrol, diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products for both the Kenyan market and neighbouring countries, helping cushion the region against global oil price volatility, shipping disruptions and rising import costs.
Kenya currently relies heavily on imported refined fuel despite producing crude oil, leaving consumers vulnerable to fluctuations in international oil markets and exchange rates.
The decision to establish the refinery in Lamu also represents a major strategic shift after Tanzania’s Tanga region had previously been considered as a possible location for the regional project.
Dangote said Kenya ultimately emerged as the preferred destination due to its commercial viability, infrastructure potential and technical advantages, positioning Lamu to become one of East Africa’s most important energy, logistics and industrial centres.
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