President William Ruto has announced a Ksh7.5 billion plan to build 3,000 housing units in Lamu County as the government prepares for increased activity around the planned Dangote refinery.
Speaking in Mokowe on Saturday, October 3, during the issuance of title deeds to residents, Ruto said the houses would provide accommodation for workers and other people expected to move to the area as the Dangote refinery project takes shape.
“We are allocating Ksh7.5 billion to build an additional 3,000 housing units to support housing as we develop the Dangote refinery in Lamu County. So that those who are coming to live here will have decent dwelling,” Ruto said.
The housing plan comes days after the groundbreaking of the Ksh2.2 trillion refinery project, which is expected to create thousands of jobs and attract new businesses to Lamu.
Ruto has previously said about 60,000 Kenyans will be needed during the construction and operation of the refinery.
Dangote Group has also announced plans to train 1,000 residents of Lamu to prepare them for employment opportunities linked to the project.
Workers from an Indian state-owned engineering firm are also expected to be involved in the project after the company secured a Ksh58 billion contract to provide project management, engineering, procurement and construction management services.
The Dangote refinery is being developed as part of a wider petrochemical complex and is expected to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
It will supply petroleum products to Kenya and other markets in the region once operational.
Beyond the refinery itself, Dangote Group has outlined plans for businesses around the project in areas such as logistics, engineering, manufacturing and marine services.
The government expects these activities to increase employment and business opportunities in Lamu as construction progresses over the next 40 months.
Ruto also announced other housing-related projects in the county, saying Ksh6 billion had been set aside for affordable housing, markets and hostels.
He acknowledged that the proposed affordable housing project in Faza had faced delays but assured residents that it would proceed.
In Mpeketoni, the President said a contract had already been awarded for the construction of 900 houses.
He directed Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to speed up the project.