NAIROBI, Aug 6 – Kenya’s planned Lamu refinery is coming under closer environmental review after Greenpeace Africa said it is considering legal action over the project’s approval process.
The proposed refinery, with a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, is a major part of Kenya’s plan to grow its energy sector and become a regional refining hub. Government officials say the project will reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel, improve energy security and supply refined petroleum products to neighbouring countries, including Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan.
However, Greenpeace Africa says a project of this size should complete all environmental checks and public consultations before moving ahead. The group also questioned whether government commitments were announced before the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was completed.
The organisation has also asked the government to provide more information about its estimate that the refinery could support around 60,000 jobs. It wants to know how many of those jobs would be temporary, permanent or created through related industries.
The Kenyan government said early work on the project has already begun, including soil testing, engineering studies and initial designs. Officials said the project will be funded through internal resources, bond sales, a future public listing and a planned government investment of about $165 million.
The refinery is expected to be built within the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, a regional infrastructure project designed to improve trade across East Africa.
The project’s future will also depend on earlier court rulings related to the LAPSSET Corridor, which called for stronger environmental protection and greater public participation.
The completed ESIA and public review process will help determine whether the refinery moves forward or faces further legal and regulatory delays.
