The Malindi Environment and Land Court has declined to declare urgent an application seeking to stop the planned groundbreaking ceremony for the Dangote Refinery project in Lamu County.
The application was filed on September 23 by 133 farmers and occupants of L.R. No. 13061 in the Hindi, Manda and Magogoni areas of Lamu County.
The applicants named 10 respondents in the case, including the national government, LAPSSET, the National Land Commission and Dangote Industries.
They argued that they had lived on and cultivated the disputed land for years despite not holding title deeds. They further claimed that they had not been included in the land acquisition, compensation and resettlement process.
The applicants had sought orders stopping the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, together with any other launch or commencement-of-works activities on the disputed property.
They also asked the court to halt activities such as land clearing, excavation, fencing and construction on the portion they occupy until their claims are determined.
Court Orders Status Quo Maintained
Lady Justice Jane Onyango declined to certify the application as urgent, meaning the applicants did not receive immediate orders stopping the planned activities.
Instead, the court directed the applicants to serve the respondents with the application and gave them 14 days to file their responses. The case will be heard inter partes on October 14, 2026.
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The court further ordered all parties to maintain the existing status quo on L.R. No. 13061 in the Hindi, Manda and Magogoni area until the next hearing.
The order means neither side should take steps that would alter the prevailing condition of the disputed property before the court considers the matter.
The court’s directions come as preparations continue for the planned launch of the refinery project, which the government has described as a major industrial undertaking for the region.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had earlier confirmed that preparations were underway for the September 30 launch in Lamu.
Kindiki said the event was expected to bring together President William Ruto, regional heads of state and government, as well as members of the local community.
He said the refinery is expected to provide petrochemical processing services and support industrial activities in the region.
The Deputy President added that government agencies were finalising arrangements covering protocol, security, logistics and the programme for the launch.
