President Ruto: Kenyans To Own Dangote Refinery Shares In Kenya

• President William Ruto announced that the Dangote East Africa Refinery, a Sh2 trillion project, will offer shares to Kenyans via the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
• Ruto warned against individuals frustrating investors, citing past examples and emphasizing the need for an enabling investment environment to boost foreign direct investment.
• The President projected that the refinery's operation would increase Kenya's foreign direct investment to between $6 billion and $7 billion.
• During his Coast tour, Ruto also committed Sh10 billion and deployed 300 land officials to resolve historical land injustices, aiming to issue 500,000 title deeds by December 2026.
• He personally issued 36,000 government-paid title deeds in Kilifi, stressing that 'justice delayed is justice denied' for the region's land issues.

Crucially, President Ruto affirmed that ordinary Kenyans will be afforded the opportunity to acquire shares in the enterprise through the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

President William Ruto has announced that the ownership and operational aspects of the imminent Dangote East Africa Refinery will be characterized by openness and transparency. The government plans to hold a stake in this significant facility, which is valued at Sh2 trillion and is expected to be an economic game-changer for Kenya and the broader region. Crucially, President Ruto affirmed that ordinary Kenyans will be afforded the opportunity to acquire shares in the enterprise through the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

The President's assurances regarding the Dangote Refinery shares in Kenya were made during the fourth day of his Coast development tour, specifically while speaking in Kilifi and Kwale counties on Tuesday. He underscored his personal commitment to the project's success, stating unequivocally that he would ensure its completion despite any opposition. This initiative is anticipated to significantly bolster Kenya's economic prospects and strengthen its foreign reserves by creating substantial opportunities for its citizens.

During his address, President Ruto issued a stern warning to individuals he accused of impeding investors in Kenya through unreasonable demands and self-serving conditions. He emphasized that such actions pose a serious risk of deterring capital inflow and hindering the nation's economic transformation. The government, he asserted, would not permit profiteers to obstruct the refinery project, which he views as vital for national development.

President Ruto highlighted that those attempting to derail the refinery have a history of frustrating major investments, citing previous efforts by Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote to establish a cement factory in Kenya, as well as the proposed crude oil pipeline between Kenya and Uganda. He stressed that investors require an enabling environment and incentives, not punitive conditions. The President also linked investor frustration to a decline in foreign direct investment (FDI), noting that while Kenya's FDI stood at $1.6 billion in 2022 and rose to $3.2 billion in 2025, the operationalization of the Dangote Refinery is projected to further increase FDI to between $6 billion and $7 billion.

Beyond the refinery, President Ruto also addressed the critical issue of land ownership in the Coast region, describing his commitment to resolving the 'land question' as a deliberate effort to transform the area and restore the rights of residents who have long suffered from uncertainty and evictions. He acknowledged that historical land challenges have violated human rights, leading to widespread poverty and constant insecurity for many.

To address this, the government has allocated Sh10 billion towards resolving land disputes and plans to continue funding this program in subsequent years. To expedite the adjudication of government-purchased land, 300 officials from the Ministry of Lands have been deployed to the Coast. This concerted effort aims to achieve the government's target of issuing 500,000 title deeds in the Coast region by December 2026. On Tuesday in Kilifi town, President Ruto personally issued 36,000 title deeds to residents at Karisa Maitha Stadium, assuring beneficiaries that the government had fully covered all associated costs and no payments were required from them. He lamented that the Coast had waited too long for justice regarding land and development rights, asserting that 'justice delayed is justice denied' and that this rapid response initiative is part of a comprehensive 'land answer' for all six Coast counties.

Source: Original reporting via local Kenyan media