President William Ruto during an event in Lamu on October 3, 2026/PCS
President William Ruto has responded to criticism of the Sh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Refinery, telling those seeking information about the project to use the proper channels instead of raising questions at political rallies.
Ruto said people seeking details about the Lamu project should not expect answers when they raise the issues at political meetings.
“Kama mtu anataka information kuhusu mradi wa Lamu, huwezi enda kwa mkutano wa siasa kutuuliza maswali. Kwani kuna mtu atajibu maswali ya Lamu kwa mikutano ya siasa?” Ruto posed as he addressed residents in Lamu on Saturday.
The President was responding to scrutiny of the refinery following questions raised by opposition figures, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, over the agreement between the Kenyan government and Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote.
Sifuna has called for the agreement and commitments made by Kenya in facilitating the refinery to be made public, arguing that Parliament and Kenyans should know the terms of the deal.
On Friday, Sifuna invoked Article 35 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens access to information held by the State and requires the government to publish and publicise important information affecting the nation.
Ruto, however, said lawmakers seeking the agreement should use parliamentary procedures.
“Sasa mnaenda kutuuliza maswali kwa majukwaa ya siasa, mnataka tujibu namna gani?” he posed.
The President also referred to what he called “brokers”, saying they were asking questions about the investment with ulterior motives.
“Kwa wale mabroker nimewaona mnauliza maswali mengi sana. Tumezoea maswali yenu na tunajua hizo maswali zinaelekea wapi,” Ruto said.
He referred to the critics as brokers and “matapeli”, saying they were seeking to benefit from an investment they had not contributed to.
“Nyinyi ni mabroker, matapeli ambao wanataka kuvuna mahali hawajapanda,” he said.
Ruto said he would not allow individuals to frustrate Dangote and other investors by demanding payments or shares in the project.
“Vile mlihangaisha hawa investors wetu kwa siku zilizopita, siwezi kuwaruhusu. Na msikie vizuri, siwezi kuwaruhusu muhangaishe hawa investors wetu ati mulipwe. Mnalipwa nyinyi ni akina nani?” he said.
He questioned what contribution those demanding shares had made to the project, saying any benefits arising from the refinery should primarily go to people from Lamu.
“Mumefanya kazi gani ndiyo mlipwe? Mnataka shares ya kazi gani? Kama kuna shares itapatikana, itapewa hawa watu wa Lamu, sio nyinyi,” Ruto said.
He added that any money generated for local participation should benefit Lamu residents.
“Kama kuna pesa italipwa, ni hawa watu wa Lamu, sio nyinyi,” he said.
The President's remarks come days after a heated exchange involving Sifuna, Dangote and the government over the refinery.
Sifuna criticised Dangote after the businessman said he was prepared to confront anyone seeking to obstruct the project. The senator said investors must explain their projects and commitments to Kenyans and argued that concerns raised by Lamu residents should be addressed.
Ruto said the critics had previously attempted to pressure Dangote over the project.
“Walikuwa wanajaribu kutishia yule Mnigeria, Dangote, ati msipofanya hii na hii,” he said.
Dangote responded by telling the critics to seek legal redress.
“Dangote akawaambia muende kortini, na pale kortini nitawaahangaisha vibaya sana,” Ruto said.
He defended Dangote's response, saying taking the dispute to court naturally meant the investor would defend himself.
“Wakaanza kusema, ‘Oh, huyu mtu anaongea vibaya.’ Kwani mtu akikupeleka kortini unataka ufanye nini? Si lazima akuzungushe huko pia?” he said.
The refinery was officially launched in Lamu on September 30, with Dangote saying the $16 billion (Sh2.2trillion) facility would have a capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
