Kenyan presidential candidate Patrick Osoi has urged Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote to delay his planned refinery project in Kenya, saying he would rely on local investors to develop the facility if elected president next year.
Osoi made the remarks in a video that began trending on Sunday while addressing supporters at a Lions Movement event. He argued that Kenyan business people had the capacity to establish an oil refinery without depending on the Nigerian industrialist.
“I want to tell Aliko Dangote, please don’t rush to start the refinery because, when I’m sworn in as President of Kenya next year, you will be heading back to Nigeria,” he said.
“We Kenyans have business people who can start the refinery. We also have business people in this country who can do that job. This is what we stand for. This is the home of all movements,” Osoi added.
His comments come amid plans by Dangote to build a $16 billion oil refinery in Lamu, Kenya, with a proposed processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The project is expected to serve Kenya and other countries in East Africa, boost regional refining capacity and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.
Dangote and Kenyan President William Ruto performed the project’s groundbreaking ceremony on September 30, 2026. Reports surrounding the launch indicate that construction is expected to take about 40 months.
However, the project has faced opposition from some local residents over land ownership, compensation and environmental concerns. A Kenyan court has also ordered the parties to maintain the status quo in a land dispute involving the project.
Osoi’s remarks have placed a spotlight on the debate over whether major industrial projects should depend on foreign investors or be developed through domestic capital and expertise.
Dangote’s proposed investment is among the major industrial projects expected to expand Africa’s refining capacity and strengthen regional energy security. However, Osoi has pledged to pursue a locally driven alternative if he wins next year’s presidential election.