President William Ruto explained why several African leaders who had been expected at Wednesday’s groundbreaking of the Ksh2 trillion ($16 billion) Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu did not make it to the ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Ruto said some leaders were held up by official engagements, while others sent government representatives and messages of support for the project.
Mozambique, Rwanda and Burundi
Ruto said he spoke to Mozambique President Daniel Chapo on Wednesday morning and was informed that Chapo was on a state visit to Botswana.
“He would have wanted to be here. He has sent his blessings, his goodwill, and he is part of this project,” Ruto said.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame had also planned to attend. According to Ruto, Kagame had made arrangements to travel to Lamu but was unable to make the trip for what the Kenyan President described as “technical reasons.”
“He sends his goodwill,” Ruto said.
Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye had also committed to sending a delegation, with Ruto saying the Burundian leader viewed the refinery as a regional project.
Why Samia was absent
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan was another notable absentee. Ruto said he had spoken with the Tanzanian leader and Tanzania had sent a delegation to represent her. ,
Her absence comes as she mourns the death of her husband.
During the ceremony, Dangote also sent his condolences to the Tanzanian President. The absence is notable given Tanzania’s earlier involvement in discussions around the refinery.
Ruto had previously pushed for Tanga to be considered as a possible location for the project, before Dangote said feasibility studies identified Lamu as the preferred site.
Regional project, not just a Kenyan refinery
Despite the absence of some heads of state, the groundbreaking brought together leaders from across the continent.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Togo’s President Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové and Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni attended the ceremony.
Ruto thanked Abiy for attending, saying his presence demonstrated that the project extends beyond Kenya.
The planned refinery is expected to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and serve markets across East and Central Africa.
Dangote has also positioned the investment as a gateway for further capital into Kenya.
“The refinery is like the gate. Once you open and have the refinery, you’ll be shocked at how many people will come and invest in Kenya.”