Constitutional lawyer Levi Munyeri has issued a one-week ultimatum to the government, warning that he will move to the High Court to stop the planned Ksh2.59 trillion Dangote oil refinery in Lamu if residents are not given an opportunity to take part in public participation before construction begins.
In a statement released on Wednesday, July 8, Munyeri said the Constitution requires the government to involve the public before implementing a project of such national importance.
He argued that the process should not be treated as a formality but as a legal requirement that allows citizens to understand how the project will affect their lives.
“Free advice to Ruto and his people. Pause, take a month and do public participation with the people of Lamu on the Dangote Oil Refinery. If you don’t act accordingly within a week, I will petition the High Court to stop the planned construction,” Munyeri stated.
According to him, public participation is not simply about asking residents whether they support or oppose the project. He said the government should also explain the purpose of the refinery, its expected benefits and any possible impact on the local community so that people can make informed decisions.
Munyeri further warned that even projects with good intentions could face legal challenges if the government fails to follow constitutional procedures.
He maintained that respecting the law is just as important as attracting investment into the country.
His remarks came a day after Dangote Industries confirmed that Lamu had been chosen as the location for the proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery.
The announcement ended earlier speculation that the investment could instead be moved to neighbouring Tanzania.
The refinery project had previously attracted comments from Siaya Governor James Orengo, who opposed reports that it could be established in Tanzania. He argued that such a major investment should remain in Kenya because it would create jobs and strengthen the country’s economy.
With Dangote confirming Lamu as the preferred location, attention has now shifted to how the project will be implemented.
Munyeri’s threat to seek court orders has received mixed reactions online. While some people agreed that public participation must come first, others argued that the refinery should move ahead because of the expected economic benefits.
One social media user said the investment could add more than a trillion shillings to the economy over the next decade and questioned why anyone would oppose it.
Consumer Federation of Kenya Secretary General Stephen Mutoro also joined the discussion, appearing to support calls for public participation. He said decisions on the refinery’s location should not be made without properly involving the people of Lamu, as debate over the multi-billion-shilling project continues.
