Patrick Osoi Challenges Dangote's $16bn Refinery in Kenya

Kenyan presidential aspirant Patrick Osoi has publicly opposed Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote's proposed $16 billion oil refinery project in Kenya. Speaking at a Lions Movement event, Osoi urged Dangote not to rush the project, stating that if elected president next year, he would prefer local investors to undertake the refinery.

Osoi emphasized that Kenya has capable business people who can establish a refinery without relying on Dangote. The remarks were made in a video that gained traction on social media.

Dangote's refinery, which is set to be built in Lamu, has a proposed processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and aims to reduce Kenya's dependence on imported petroleum products. The groundbreaking ceremony for the project was conducted by Dangote and Kenyan President William Ruto on 30 September 2026.

The refinery is expected to take approximately 40 months to complete, but it has faced opposition from local residents regarding land ownership and environmental concerns, with a Kenyan court ordering the maintenance of the status quo in a related land dispute.