The High Court has certified as urgent a petition seeking disclosure of details surrounding the government’s proposed involvement in the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery project in Lamu.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Justice David Mburu on Tuesday, October 6, directed that the case be given priority, opening another legal process around the planned refinery shortly after its September 30 groundbreaking.

The petitioner, an activist, wants state agencies to disclose whether public funds, land, tax incentives, guarantees or other government resources will be committed to the project.

The case also seeks information on the terms, valuations, approvals and decision-making processes behind any proposed government investment.

📌 What You Need to Know

A key issue is Kenya's reported plan to acquire a 10 per cent stake in the refinery through public assets and resources associated with the National Investment Fund (NIF).

The petitioner is asking for records linked to the fund, including its legal framework, investment mandate, decisions, feasibility studies and financial models relating to the project.

He has also asked the government to preserve and release documents covering agreements, financing proposals, due diligence, valuations, licences, environmental assessments and public participation.

The application further seeks temporary restrictions on any new non-routine government commitments to the project pending determination of the case, but the court has not granted the request.

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has been named as an interested party and is being asked to disclose whether it has handled any fundraising or investment offer linked to the refinery.

The court directed the petitioner to serve the respondents and interested parties within two days, after which they will have seven days to respond.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke