Protests have erupted in Lamu as residents oppose the proposed Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery, demanding compensation and other assurances ahead of the planned groundbreaking on Wednesday, September 30.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

According to reports, demonstrators gathered on Tuesday, September 29, as tensions rose over claims concerning land, compensation, community participation, and environmental requirements linked to the project.

Police were deployed to the area as the protest unfolded, with tear gas reportedly fired to disperse residents as confrontations with officers broke out.

Residents also alleged that police fired shots into the air in attempts to disperse the crowds.

📌 What You Need to Know

One protester, identified as Benson Kukuyama, was said to have been arrested during the demonstrations.

The demonstrations follow a Malindi Environment and Land Court decision declining to halt the planned Dangote refinery groundbreaking and development.

The court declined to certify the residents’ application as urgent and ordered that the existing situation on the disputed land be maintained until October 14.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke