“By God’s grace, Inshallah, tomorrow we will launch the Sh2 trillion refinery in Lamu. I want to tell you that this refinery will transform a large part of our national economy,” Ruto said.
The President accused those opposing the project of attempting to undermine investment through court cases and public statements. “There are people who think they can sabotage the investment in this refinery.
I have seen them trying all sorts of things on social media and at press conferences. I want to tell them that you cannot deceive us all the time,” he said. Ruto also criticised what he described as past attempts by brokers to frustrate major investments in Kenya, saying such actions had cost the country potential projects.
He cited Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote’s previous plans to establish a cement plant in Kenya, which he said were frustrated by disputes over shares and other conditions.
Ruto also referred to plans for Uganda to build a crude oil pipeline through Kenya to Mombasa, saying the project was eventually taken to Tanzania. His remarks came a day after 133 residents of Chandavai in Lamu moved to the Malindi Environment and Land Court seeking to halt activities linked to the refinery over claims of ancestral land ownership, compensation and resettlement.