Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is facing a fresh legal challenge ahead of the planned launch of his East Africa refinery project in Kenya.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery is scheduled for Wednesday, 30 September, in Chandavai, Lamu County.
However, a Kenyan court has ordered that the current status of the land earmarked for the project be maintained pending a hearing on a land rights dispute.
The case was brought by 133 residents of Chandavai, who have sued Kenyan President William Ruto, relevant government agencies and Dangote Industries over the proposed development.
According to Reuters, the Malindi Environment and Land Court issued the order on 25 September, directing that the “status quo prevailing” on the land be maintained until the matter is heard on 14 October. The order was made public on Monday, 28 September.
Despite the ruling, Dangote Group says the court action does not currently prevent the planned groundbreaking ceremony from going ahead.
Despite the ruling, Dangote Group says the court action does not currently prevent the planned groundbreaking ceremony from going ahead.
In a statement, the company said the court order “has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery at this stage.”
The legal challenge comes as Dangote Industries moves to expand its presence in East Africa’s energy sector through the proposed refinery project in Lamu.
