Government defends proposed Dangote refinery, denies granting special concessions

The Government of Kenya has defended the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu, insisting that no special concessions have been granted to the investor. Appearing before the Special Funds Account Committee, Principal Secretary for Petroleum Mohamed Liban Harsama said the government has no contractual obligation to guarantee crude oil supplies, adding that the investor will negotiate directly with oil-producing countries. According to the PS, the project is projected to create tens of thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, local crude oil production in Turkana is expected to start at 20,000 barrels per day, potentially rising to 50,000—far below the refinery’s estimated demand of 700,000 barrels daily.