- Lamu refinery project is set for groundbreaking next week as preparations enter final stages
- Government says the project could create thousands of jobs and expand opportunities in the Coast region
- The refinery is expected to support Kenya’s petrochemical, manufacturing and energy ambitions
The construction of the East Africa Refinery in Lamu County is set to officially start on Wednesday, next week, in a move meant to position Kenya and East Africa as a key petro-chemical industrial hub and a competitive energy logistics centre.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the refinery is a landmark project that will unlock the economy of Lamu and the Coast region, create more than 50,000 jobs and boost Kenya’s industrialisation quest.
The Deputy President said President Ruto will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony while accompanied by other Heads of State, revealing that all preparations for the day were at an advanced stage.
“President William Ruto will lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the landmark project, which is expected to bring together Heads of State and Government from the East African region and beyond. Preparations for the Wednesday ceremony are at an advanced stage. This signals the government’s determination to move the refinery project from plans to implementation,” said DP Kindiki.
The Deputy President spoke during the final preparation meeting held at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi.
He said the refinery would position Kenya and the wider East African region as an important petro-chemical industrial hub and a competitive energy logistics centre.
“The project will have far-reaching economic benefits beyond Lamu, opening up new opportunities in manufacturing, trade, transport, logistics and other related sectors. It will position Kenya and East Africa as a key petro-chemical industrial hub and a competitive energy logistics centre,” Kindiki said.
He described the refinery as a landmark investment that would unlock the economic potential of Lamu and the wider Coast region.
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For years, Lamu has been identified as having significant potential to become a major gateway for regional trade and investment because of its strategic location along the Indian Ocean.
Kindiki said the refinery is expected to complement other investments in the region and strengthen Kenya’s role as a regional energy and logistics centre.
“The project is also expected to create more than 50,000 jobs, provide opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers and stimulate businesses linked to the construction and energy sectors,” said the DP.
He noted that the anticipated employment opportunities will benefit thousands of young people in Lamu and neighbouring counties, while creating new markets for local enterprises.
The second in command said the project is also expected to accelerate infrastructure development and attract additional private-sector investment to the Coast region.
“The refinery would contribute significantly to the government’s industrialisation agenda by supporting value addition and expanding the country’s capacity in the petro-chemical sector,” he said.
The groundbreaking ceremony is expected to set the stage for a wider economic transformation of Lamu and strengthen Kenya’s position in the regional energy market.
The presence of regional and international leaders at the ceremony is also expected to underline the strategic importance of the project to East Africa.
Kindiki further noted the government has increasingly placed major infrastructure and industrial projects at the centre of its economic transformation agenda, with a focus on creating jobs, expanding investment and increasing local value addition.
He said the refinery offers the prospect of new jobs, businesses and infrastructure, while for Kenya, the project is being presented as a major component of its ambition to become a regional industrial and energy hub.
By John Majau
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