A Kenyan presidential aspirant, Patrick Nyambaka Osoi, has reportedly warned Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote against rushing into his planned refinery project in Kenya, saying he would prioritise local investors if elected president.
In a video circulating online, Osoi urged Dangote to reconsider the investment, claiming that the Nigerian businessman would have to return to Nigeria if he assumed office after Kenya’s 2027 presidential election.
“I want to tell Aliko Dangote, please don’t rush to start the refinery because, when I’m sworn in as President of Kenya next year, you will be heading back to Nigeria,” Osoi was quoted as saying.
The video was credited to AM Media.
Dangote’s $16bn Refinery Project
Osoi’s remarks come amid plans by Dangote to establish a major oil refinery in Lamu County, Kenya, in a project expected to cost about $16 billion.
The proposed facility is designed to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is intended to help meet fuel demand in East Africa while reducing the region’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Dangote and Kenyan President William Ruto participated in the project’s groundbreaking ceremony on September 30, 2026.
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The investment forms part of Dangote’s broader ambition to expand industrial development and energy production across Africa.
Osoi’s Presidential Ambition
Osoi, a former Kenya Defence Forces soldier who has declared an interest in the 2027 presidential election, has reportedly argued that Kenyan entrepreneurs should be given greater opportunities to lead major investments in their country.
His comments suggest a preference for local participation in strategic industries, although the reported statement does not establish how he would legally or practically seek to halt the project if elected.
Osoi is not currently Kenya’s president, and the future of the refinery would depend on the applicable laws, agreements and decisions of the relevant authorities.
The exact date and original recording of the circulating video could not be independently established from the available reports.
