Controversy surrounds the proposed Sh2.2 trillion oil refinery by Dangote Group in Lamu, Kenya, part of the LAPSSET Corridor project.

• Dangote Group, led by Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote, plans a 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery.
• Local residents and groups, including the Lamu Marine Forum and Lamu Council of Elders, are demanding consultation and benefits like a community trust fund and local employment quotas.
• Government officials and LAPSSET architects, such as former Director-General Silvester Kasuku, defend the project as a transformative investment for the region.

Oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel for the first time since May, driven by escalating conflict in the Middle East and Houthi militia attacks on tankers in the Red Sea.

• Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose over 6% on Thursday.
• The conflict threatens key oil export routes, impacting global energy supplies.
• This price hike could lead to renewed inflationary pressures and higher consumer costs for fuel, food, and other goods.

A BloombergNEF report highlights that Kenya's freeze on new Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) between 2018 and late 2025 significantly hampered investment in utility-scale renewable energy projects, despite renewables making up over 80% of installed capacity.

• The moratorium, intended to stop high-priced deals, delayed new Independent Power Producers (IPPs) when electricity reserves were tightening.
• Kenya needs to add nearly 1GW of capacity annually by 2030 to support economic growth, requiring an end to stalled utility-scale investment.
• The Kenyan government has lifted the freeze and is moving towards competitive renewable energy auctions, with solar power and battery energy storage expected to be early investment opportunities.