Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has demanded full disclosure of the shareholding structure behind the proposed Dangote Group oil refinery in Lamu.
Nyoro, who leads the People’s Party of Kenya, warned against any attempts to secure ownership stakes in the project for political gain. He said the government must provide clarity on who the shareholders are to ensure the investment remains transparent and free from improper interference.
The lawmaker said investors like Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote are welcome in Kenya because their projects create jobs and support industrialization. He cautioned, however, that the government should not use the project to solicit shares for individuals close to President William Ruto.
Nyoro argued that the investment in Lamu is being facilitated by infrastructure developed by previous governments rather than the current administration alone. He noted that the state has provided land and utilized public funds for port infrastructure that will support the refinery.
Kenya should receive a stake in the refinery as a country to reflect these public contributions, Nyoro said. He added that the local community in Lamu should be the primary beneficiaries of the industrial complex.
The proposed refinery is a multi-billion-dollar project designed to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It broke ground on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, amid discussions regarding the regional energy landscape.
Nyoro insisted that the project must be published as an independent company separate from Dangote’s Nigerian operations. He said that if any foreign-sounding shareholders appear on the register, the public should know if they are actually local officials in disguise.
The MP’s comments follow reports that the refinery is intended to supply refined petroleum products across East Africa, including Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The facility is projected to create approximately 60,000 jobs.
