President William Ruto has explained the absence of several African heads of state from the groundbreaking ceremony of the KSh2 trillion Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu.
Speaking during the event, Ruto said some leaders who had planned to attend were held up by other official engagements, while others sent representatives and messages of support for the project, which he described as an investment with regional significance.
Ruto said he spoke to Mozambique President Daniel Chapo on Wednesday morning and was informed that the leader was on a state visit to Botswana.
“He would have wanted to be here. He has sent his blessings, his goodwill, and he is part of this project,” Ruto said.
The President also explained the absence of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, saying he had spoken to her and Tanzania had sent a delegation to represent her. Her absence came as she mourns the death of her husband.
Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote had earlier sent his condolences to the Tanzanian leader during the ceremony.
Ruto further said Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye had committed to sending a delegation after they spoke about the project, which he described as important to the region.
Rwanda President Paul Kagame had also planned to attend but was unable to make the trip.
“I spoke to the President of Rwanda, my good brother Paul Kagame. He had even made all the arrangements to come, but for technical reasons, he didn’t manage to come here. He sends his goodwill,” Ruto said.
The President thanked Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for attending the groundbreaking, saying his presence demonstrated the importance of the refinery beyond Kenya.
“I know, my brother, you came here, and the sacrifices you have made to be here today. The people of Kenya appreciate the sacrifices you have made to be here with us,” Ruto said.
Ruto said the refinery was significant not only to Kenya but also to Ethiopia and the wider East African region.
He also praised former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he described as a father, for supporting regional integration and the growth of Dangote’s business empire.
Ruto noted that Obasanjo, who is nearly 90, travelled for 11 hours to attend the ceremony, describing his presence as a demonstration of solidarity and confidence in the region.
“We don’t take that for granted. We see it as solidarity and confidence in our region,” Ruto said.
The President also praised Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote for investing heavily across Africa, saying his investments had challenged the perception that major investors on the continent must come from outside Africa.
“Ordinarily, when people talk about investors, they think they must be white people. Sometimes it’s difficult to persuade people that we have black people who are investors,” Ruto said.
He highlighted Dangote’s investments in Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and other African countries, describing them as an inspiration to the continent.
