Kenyan presidential hopeful Patrick Osoi has opposed Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s proposed $16 billion oil refinery project in Kenya, insisting that local investors have the financial capacity and expertise to undertake the development.
Osoi stated his position while addressing supporters at a Lions Movement event, where he urged the Nigerian industrialist to delay the project ahead of Kenya’s 2027 presidential election.
The presidential hopeful argued that Kenya has entrepreneurs capable of establishing and operating an oil refinery without depending on Dangote, one of Africa’s wealthiest businessmen.
He maintained that, if elected president, his administration would prioritise local investors and businesses, adding that Kenyan entrepreneurs could take responsibility for the proposed facility.
“I want to tell Aliko Dangote, please don’t rush to start the refinery because, when I’m sworn in as President of Kenya next year, you will be heading back to Nigeria,” Osoi said.
“We Kenyans have business people who can start the refinery. We also have business people in this country who can do that job. This is what we stand for. This is the home of all movements.”
His remarks come amid plans by Dangote to establish a $16 billion oil refinery in Lamu, a coastal region of Kenya.
The proposed facility is expected to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with petroleum products intended for Kenya and other countries across East Africa.
The project is also expected to expand the region’s refining capacity and reduce its dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Dangote and Kenyan President William Ruto officially launched the project with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 30, 2026.
Construction is expected to take approximately 40 months to complete.
If delivered as planned, the refinery would represent a major investment in Africa’s petroleum processing sector and could increase the availability of refined fuel products across East Africa.
