The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has welcomed the planned Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu, while calling for transparency and accountability in the multi-trillion-shilling project.
Speaking to journalists after visiting activist Collins Odhiambo at Life Care Hospital in Mlolongo on Wednesday, Kalonzo said the opposition supports foreign investment but insisted that major projects must be structured to benefit Kenyans rather than a select few.
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“We welcome foreign direct investment. Dangote is most welcome in Kenya,” Kalonzo said, recalling earlier plans by Dangote to invest in a cement factory in Kitui.
He, however, stressed that support for the refinery should not mean abandoning due process, saying Kenyans must be assured that major investment agreements are transparent and serve the public interest.
Kalonzo referred to the previously proposed lease of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to India’s Adani Group, which was cancelled by the government after facing public opposition and legal challenges.
He said the experience demonstrated the importance of scrutiny and accountability when negotiating major public-sector deals.
Kalonzo’s comments came on the same day President William Ruto and Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lamu refinery. The project is valued at about Sh2 trillion and is designed to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day when completed.
Dangote has set a 40-month timeline for completion of the refinery, which is expected to supply refined petroleum products to Kenya and other regional markets.
The project is expected to strengthen regional refining capacity and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, while positioning Lamu as a major energy and industrial hub.
Kalonzo maintained that the project could be beneficial to the country, provided that the agreements surrounding it are subjected to proper scrutiny and follow the required legal and administrative procedures.
