- Ruto confirms Lamu oil refinery project expected to create about 60,000 youth jobs.
- Government to use Ksh350 billion National Infrastructure Fund to finance major infrastructure projects.
President William Ruto has announced thousands of new job opportunities for young Kenyans following the confirmation that a monumental oil refinery will be constructed in Lamu.
Speaking on Friday, July 10, 2026, the President indicated that the massive investment would serve as a major boost for employment and economic growth across East Africa.
The Head of State made the remarks during the launch of the second phase and disbursement of the second tranche of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata, Nairobi. He highlighted that the regional refinery project is strategically positioned to serve not only Kenya but also a diverse East African market, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
To ensure the smooth execution of such large-scale developments, President Ruto revealed that the government has operationalized the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF). The fund holds KSh 350 billion, which will be utilized to finance critical development projects nationwide.
“I can stand here before the nation and confirm that we have a National Infrastructure Fund of KSh 350 billion that will enable us to finance long-term development projects in water, transport, logistics, and other critical sectors,” remarked the President.
The announcement follows high-level engagements between President Ruto and Nigerian billionaire investor Aliko Dangote, head of the Dangote Group. The investor selected Lamu as the preferred site for the multi-trillion-shilling refinery, effectively ending months of intense speculation over whether the mega-project would be established in Kenya or in Tanga, Tanzania.
“I have talked with Aliko Dangote, and we have agreed on the refinery, which is not just for Kenya but also for Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This project will create immense job opportunities for our youth,” noted the President.
Once completed, the facility is projected to boast a refining capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it one of the largest refineries on the African continent. The project is expected to significantly enhance regional energy security, lowering the cost of imported goods and shielding East Africa from oil sector supply shocks or supply chain delays stemming from Middle East geopolitical tensions.
Lamu was selected based on its strategic commercial, technological, and logistical infrastructure advantages. Consequently, the hub will serve as a massive catalyst for economic transformation and a source of employment for an estimated 60,000 young people.
Beyond the landmark oil refinery, President Ruto commended other ongoing large-scale infrastructure projects designed to expand the youth employment bracket. He cited the ongoing construction of the Talanta Sports City Stadium, the upgrading of national airports, and various transport network developments as key drivers of the government’s job creation agenda.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
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