A Kenyan presidential aspirant and former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier, Patrick Osoi, has sparked political controversy after warning Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote against proceeding with plans to build a multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in Kenya.
Osoi declared that if elected president, his administration would immediately halt the proposed energy project and order the Nigerian industrialist out of the country to prioritise domestic investors.
Former soldier vows to prioritise local investors
In a video statement circulated online, Osoi warned the President of Dangote Group not to rush the execution of the proposed refinery project, promising to reverse foreign investments in key economic sectors.
“I want to tell Aliko Dangote, please don’t rush to start the refinery because, when I’m sworn in as President of Kenya, you will be heading back to Nigeria,” Osoi stated in the viral clip. “We Kenyans have business people who can start the refinery. We also have business people in this country who can do that job. That is what we stand for”.
Osoi argued that Kenya possesses adequate domestic financial capital and technical capabilities to establish its own refining infrastructure rather than depending on foreign industrial heavyweights.
Economic sovereignty versus foreign direct investment
The threat comes amid ongoing negotiations and discussions surrounding Dangote Group’s plans to expand its industrial footprint into East Africa.
The proposed project, modelled after the mega-refinery complex in Lagos, Nigeria, aims to strengthen East Africa’s petroleum self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imported refined fuels.
However, Osoi’s rhetoric underscores an emerging economic nationalism narrative within local Kenyan political circles.
Critics of foreign mega-projects argue that government concessions given to international billionaires risk crowding out indigenous businesses and creating market monopolies.
Conversely, economic analysts point out that capital-intensive infrastructure developments like oil refineries require tens of billions of dollars in initial outlay and complex global supply chain networks—resources that few local private entities in the region can single-handedly mobilise.
Political context and market implications
While Osoi’s stance serves as a populist campaign message emphasising economic sovereignty, industry experts view the declaration as a political stance rather than an immediate operational threat to Dangote’s regional expansion.
Neither the Dangote Group nor Kenyan government trade officials have issued a formal response to the presidential aspirant’s statements.
Meanwhile, trade analysts note that East African nations continue to compete aggressively for foreign direct investment (FDI) to boost energy security and lower domestic fuel costs.
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