A Kenyan court has ordered a temporary halt to activities at the proposed Dangote refinery site in Lamu County following a legal challenge by local residents and farmers.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court directed that the existing situation at the site be maintained pending further proceedings in the case.
The order followed a petition by residents of Chandavai, who alleged that they faced forceful eviction and the destruction of their properties over the proposed refinery project.
According to a Bloomberg report cited by PUNCH, Judge Jane Onyango issued the order on September 25, with the decision made public on Monday.
The court is expected to give further directions on the case on October 14.
Lawyer to the petitioners, George Wakahiu, said the order means construction activities should not begin before the next court hearing.
The petitioners also alleged that the project had not complied with Kenya’s environmental requirements, including the mandatory environmental impact assessment for major developments.
They further argued that the project did not meet constitutional requirements for public participation.
However, Dangote Group said the court had not specifically stopped the planned groundbreaking ceremony.
In a statement reported by Reuters on Tuesday, the company said the ceremony had not been halted at this stage, although activities at the project site could be affected by the court’s order pending the October 14 hearing.
The statement said both parties were required not to undertake activities at the site until the case is heard.
The proposed refinery is planned for Lamu County with a projected capacity of 700,000 barrels per day.
Kenyan President William Ruto had earlier said his government was fast-tracking administrative processes for the project and had secured land for the development.
Ruto made the remarks during a visit to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, ahead of the planned September 30 groundbreaking ceremony.
Dangote Group President and Chief Executive Officer Aliko Dangote has also said the proposed Kenyan facility would be larger than the existing Dangote refinery in Nigeria.
The Kenyan government has described the project as a regional development expected to boost industrial activity, create jobs and strengthen technical skills in East Africa.
