Timamy Warns Lamu Residents Against Selling Land Cheaply Ahead of Dangote Refinery
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has urged residents of Hindi and Mkunumbi wards to avoid selling their land at low prices, as preparations for the proposed $15 billion Dangote oil refinery gather pace.
Speaking in Mokowe, Timamy called on landowners, particularly those with property near the planned refinery site, to exercise patience and seek fair valuations, saying land demand and economic activity could increase as the project progresses. The proposed refinery is planned to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is expected to be completed around 2030 if the construction schedule remains on track.
The governor said the project’s impact would extend beyond the refinery itself, with increased demand expected for housing, commercial premises, transport and logistics services. He said the county was preparing for a significant increase in population and economic activity once the facility becomes operational.
Timamy said the county government was also accelerating reforms through the Lamu Land Spatial Plan to improve land management and protect local landowners from exploitation by speculators.
He specifically mentioned Magogoni, Bargoni, Kwasasi, Hindi and Ndeu as areas where residents should remain vigilant. He urged both titled landowners and people occupying ancestral land without formal title deeds to be cautious of individuals seeking to purchase property at low prices.
“Landowners and even squatters with ancestral land should be wary of people looking to make a killing off the establishment of this refinery,” Timamy cautioned.
The governor’s remarks come as preparations intensify for the planned September 30 groundbreaking of the refinery. The project is expected to anchor a wider petrochemical and industrial development around Lamu Port and the LAPSSET corridor. Government officials estimate the wider development could generate more than 60,000 jobs.
Meanwhile, Hindi Ward MCA James Njaaga Kariuki called on the national government to conduct comprehensive public participation involving all communities and stakeholders affected by the project.
Nominated MCA Ahmed Medo said he was preparing legislation in the Lamu County Assembly seeking to ensure that local residents benefit from employment opportunities created by investments in the county.
Medo said the proposed Bill would seek to have at least 70 per cent of jobs in private and public institutions established in Lamu reserved for county residents. Similar calls for a 70 per cent local employment share have also been made by Lamu youth and community leaders ahead of the refinery project.
