President William Ruto/SCREENGRAB
President William Ruto has said the proposed oil refinery in Lamu will create an estimated 60,000 jobs for young people, describing the project as a major regional investment that will boost employment and economic growth across East Africa.
Speaking on Friday during the disbursement of the second phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme, the President said the planned refinery would offer thousands of employment opportunities during its construction and operation.
"We are building an East Africa refinery in Lamu which will require 60,000 youth for doing the work," Ruto said.
The President disclosed that he had held discussions with Nigerian billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote on the project, adding that the refinery is intended to serve not only Kenya but the wider East African region.
"I have talked with Aliko Dangote, and we have agreed on the refinery, which is not only for Kenya but also Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It will provide jobs and opportunities for our youth," he said.
The remarks come days after Dangote Industries identified Lamu as the preferred location for its proposed Sh2.59 trillion (US$17 billion) oil refinery in Kenya.
The project, expected to have a refining capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, is set to become the largest refinery in East Africa once completed.
It would also rank as Africa's second-largest refinery by nameplate capacity, reinforcing Dangote Industries' expansion of fuel-processing operations beyond Nigeria.
Besides the refinery, Ruto said the government is implementing several large-scale infrastructure projects that will create additional employment opportunities for young Kenyans.
He cited the construction of Talanta Sports City Stadium, upgrades to airports and other strategic infrastructure developments as projects that will absorb thousands of youth while stimulating economic activity.
The President also highlighted the role of the National Infrastructure Fund in financing transformative projects across the country.
According to Ruto, the fund currently holds Sh350 billion, which will be invested in infrastructure, energy, water and logistics projects designed to accelerate economic growth and expand employment opportunities.
He said the government is deliberately investing in projects with high job-creation potential as part of its broader strategy to address youth unemployment while supporting long-term economic development.
The President made the remarks during the rollout of the second phase of the NYOTA Programme, under which 122,000 young entrepreneurs are expected to receive business grants to establish and expand their enterprises.
The government has positioned the programme as one of its flagship youth empowerment initiatives.
