Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Odinga said years of discussions between Raila Odinga and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote helped lay the foundation for the proposed KSh2.2 trillion Dangote oil refinery project in Lamu.
Oburu also explained that the project faced bureaucratic obstacles and roadblocks under a previous administration before gaining momentum under President William Ruto’s government.
In a statement on September 29, the ODM leader described the planned 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery as the culmination of a long-standing vision shared by Raila and Dangote.
“This massive 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery is the direct manifestation of a shared progressive dream. It is the product of countless strategic discussions held over many years between Baba and his close friend, Alhaji Dangote,” Oburu said.
While praising the project, Oburu said its journey to the groundbreaking stage had not been smooth, claiming it faced deliberate obstacles from a previous administration.
According to him, bureaucratic hurdles nearly derailed the investment before it eventually secured government support and moved forward.
“While the path to this groundbreaking was deliberately frustrated by the bureaucratic sabotage, petty roadblocks, and shortsighted hurdles erected by the past regime, true vision cannot be suppressed,” he said.
Oburu, however, credited President William Ruto for supporting the project and helping transform what he described as a cross-generational dream into reality.
He added that major national development projects should transcend political divisions and be embraced regardless of who initiated them.
Raila-Dangote Vision
Oburu said the refinery embodies a broader vision of economic liberation and industrial transformation that Raila championed for decades.
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He argued the project reflects efforts to strengthen Africa’s industrial capacity and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
“As we honor Baba’s timeless legacy of economic liberation, there is no greater tribute than seeing this blueprint come to fruition,” he said.
The ODM leader further described the investment as a milestone not only for Kenya but for the wider East African region.
He noted that the refinery is expected to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it one of the largest industrial projects on the continent.
Oburu said the development would also position Kenya as a major energy hub while boosting value addition in the petroleum sector.
Economic Transformation
Beyond the political significance of the project, Oburu said the refinery would deliver substantial economic benefits through job creation, power generation and industrial expansion.
According to him, the facility is expected to create more than 60,000 direct and indirect jobs, many of them targeting young people in Lamu and neighboring counties.
He also said the refinery would generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity, with an estimated 500 megawatts being fed into the national grid.
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Oburu further argued that the project would accelerate the growth of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor by attracting new investments in logistics, shipping and marine services.
“The setting up of this facility will trigger an aggressive localized industrial cluster, turning Lamu into a dynamic hub for peripheral industries, including petrochemicals, manufacturing, packaging, and agro-fertilizers,” he said.
He maintained that the refinery would help unlock new opportunities for businesses while strengthening Kenya’s position in regional trade and energy markets.
At the same time, Oburu urged authorities and investors to ensure local communities benefit fully from the project through fair inclusion and participation.
He called on residents to support the investment, saying it has the potential to usher in a new era of economic prosperity for the Coast region.
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