A Kenyan court has ordered a halt to activities at the proposed $16 billion Dangote refinery project in Lamu County following a land ownership dispute involving local residents.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court directed all parties to maintain the existing status quo pending further hearing of the case on October 14.
The legal action was filed by farmers and residents of Chandavai, who accused the project authorities of forcibly removing them from their land and destroying their properties.
Court Orders Halt to Activities at Dangote Refinery Site
According to a Bloomberg report, Judge Jane Onyango issued the order on September 25.
George Wakahiu, counsel to the petitioners, said the ruling means construction activities at the proposed refinery site should not commence before the October 14 hearing.
The residents alleged that the project involved the “forceful eviction” of landowners, destruction of properties and a lack of a resettlement plan.
They also argued that Dangote Group and Kenyan authorities failed to comply with the country’s environmental laws.
The petitioners claimed a mandatory environmental impact assessment should have been completed before work began on the major project.
They further alleged that the project did not meet constitutional requirements for adequate public participation.
Dangote Reacts to Court Ruling
Dangote Group, however, said the court had not cancelled the planned groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery.
In a statement reported by Reuters, the company said activities at the site could be affected by the order until the case is heard on October 14.
“The court has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery at this stage,” the company said.
Dangote added that activities at the site may be affected because both parties had been directed not to carry out activities pending the hearing.
Dangote Kenya Refinery to Process 700,000 Barrels Daily
The proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu County is expected to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The project is being positioned as a major regional investment that could support industrial development, create jobs and strengthen technical skills across East Africa.
Kenyan President William Ruto had earlier said his administration was fast-tracking the necessary administrative processes to prevent bureaucratic delays to the project.
Ruto made the remarks during a visit to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, ahead of the planned September 30 groundbreaking ceremony in Kenya.
The Kenyan president said his government had secured the land for the project and was working to complete other requirements needed for construction and operation.
Dangote Says Kenya Refinery Will Be Bigger Than Nigerian Plant
Dangote Group founder Aliko Dangote had previously disclosed that the proposed refinery in Kenya would be bigger than the existing Dangote refinery in Nigeria.
The development comes as the $16 billion project faces legal scrutiny over land ownership, environmental compliance and alleged displacement of local residents.
The court is expected to issue further directions when the matter returns for hearing on October 14.