A Kenyan court has ordered a temporary halt to activities related to the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu County following a legal challenge by local residents.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending further hearing on October 14, 2026.
The case was filed by farmers and residents of Chandavai, who accused the authorities and project developers of forceful eviction and destruction of their properties. They also alleged that there was no adequate resettlement plan and that the project had not met Kenya’s environmental and public participation requirements.
According to the petitioners, the refinery should not proceed without a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment and proper consultation with affected communities.
However, Dangote Group said the court had not stopped the planned groundbreaking ceremony, although activities at the project site could be affected by the order pending the October 14 hearing.
The proposed refinery is expected to have a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day. Kenyan President William Ruto had earlier said his government was fast-tracking administrative procedures for the project.
Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote also said the planned Kenyan refinery would be larger than the existing Dangote refinery in Lagos, Nigeria.
The project is expected by its promoters to boost industrial activity, create jobs and strengthen technical skills in East Africa.