MP Kaguchia queries Ruto’s rationale behind push for Tanzania refinery deal
By Faith Lagat, May 26, 2026Mukurweini Member of Parliament (MP) John Kaguchia has questioned the rationale behind President William Ruto’s push for a multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in Tanga, Tanzania.
The MP wondered why the project is not being developed in Mombasa if it is meant to lower the cost of living in the region.
Speaking during an interview on a local TV station late on Monday, May 25, 2026, Kaguchia said, “President William Ruto promised the Tanga people that he would build an oil refinery there, and when questioned by the president, he gave a long list of benefits to Tanzanians. Why not do it in Mombasa if it brings down the cost of living in Tanzania?”
He said the proposal raised questions about regional equity and the distribution of major economic projects within East Africa.
Regional refinery plan and government defence
His remarks came days after President Ruto defended the proposed Tanga refinery as part of East African Community (EAC) integration efforts, describing it as a joint opportunity for industrialisation and value addition across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan.
Speaking at the Kenya-Tanzania Business Forum in Dar es Salaam on May 4, 2026, Ruto said: “It is no longer sustainable for us to export raw materials. As a region, we must deliberately avoid exporting value, jobs and opportunities.”
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan had earlier raised concerns over the announcement, prompting Ruto to note that he would have preferred Mombasa had he known of the sensitivities.
The refinery initiative aligns with broader regional plans involving private investors, including Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote, who has expressed interest in developing refining capacity in Tanga.
Kenya continues to pursue local refining capacity alongside oil exploration in Turkana, where significant reserves have been discovered, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products and stabilise energy costs.
Concerns raised over regional economic balance
Kaguchia, who is allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, linked the refinery debate to broader political and economic concerns within the ruling coalition.
“What President William Ruto called an economic plan, and which we supported, we are now realising was a plan to disintegrate the Mt. Kenya region,” he stated.
He also defended Gachagua’s position on party communication, arguing that statements by UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan reflect the party leadership and should not be dismissed through apologies.
Kaguchia further cited that Hassan Omar had previously made controversial remarks and should be held accountable for his statements.