Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a has called on political leaders to keep politics out of the Dangote East Africa Refinery project, saying development initiatives should be supported regardless of political differences.
Ng’ang’a said leaders, particularly those from the Mt Kenya region, should avoid politicising the Sh2 trillion project and instead focus on the economic opportunities it is expected to create for Kenyans.
Speaking during the groundbreaking of the refinery in Lamu, the lawmaker said political differences should not stand in the way of projects with the potential to transform the economy.
“Even if it is politics, when it is something good you embrace it,” Ng’ang’a said.
She said the refinery would create thousands of jobs while helping address the cost of fuel, which remains a major concern for households and businesses.
Ng’ang’a urged political leaders across the divide to recognise the potential benefits of the investment and work towards ensuring its successful implementation.
She said the project should be viewed from the perspective of its impact on ordinary Kenyans rather than through political competition.
The MP, who has signalled her intention to contest the Kiambu gubernatorial seat, also commended President William Ruto for facilitating the investment and bringing the project to Lamu.
“I want to tell the President thank you so much for bringing Dangote to Lamu to start this project. You will be remembered by Kenyans for the work you do, not the politics that people play on top of the vehicles,” she said.
Ng’ang’a said the refinery could become part of Ruto’s legacy, depending on its implementation and the benefits it delivers to Kenyans.
She called on her fellow politicians to find common ground on development projects, arguing that political disagreements should not derail investments intended to benefit citizens.
The Sh2 trillion refinery is being developed by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and is expected to process about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The project is also expected to generate electricity and produce a range of petroleum and petrochemical products, including polypropylene and base oil.
Dangote said during the groundbreaking ceremony that the project would go beyond the refinery itself by creating a wider industrial ecosystem in Lamu.
He said the development would generate opportunities in energy, petrochemicals, logistics, engineering, marine services, manufacturing, technology and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The businessman also announced plans to establish a training school in Lamu that will train 1,000 local residents for opportunities associated with the refinery and the industries expected to emerge around it.
The project has been presented by the government and Dangote Group as a major investment with potential regional significance, with the refinery expected to serve markets beyond Kenya.
Ng’ang’a said the scale of the investment made it important for leaders to put national development ahead of political disagreements.
She urged politicians to allow projects with potential economic benefits to proceed without being caught up in political contests.
Her remarks came as leaders and representatives from several African countries gathered in Lamu for the groundbreaking, highlighting the regional ambitions attached to the refinery.
Ng’ang’a said Kenyans should judge the project by the jobs, investment and economic opportunities it ultimately creates rather than the political debates surrounding it.
