Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has clapped back at President Ruto after he challenged his demand for the release of agreement documents between the Kenyan government and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote with regards to the upcoming Lamu oil refinery.

The senator referred to Article 35 of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen access to information held by the state and expects the government to publicize and publish important information affecting the nation.

“Article 35 (1) says that every citizen has the right of access to information held by the State,” Sifuna said.

“Article 35 (3): The State SHALL publish and publicise any important information affecting the nation.” He added.

Nairobi’s senator went ahead to say that publicizing of government information is an obligation of the Constitution and should not be dependent on an individual’s discretion.

“Disclosure of information is a Constitutional imperative not something left to the whims of one person,” he said.

This comes after President Ruto accused Sifuna of seeking the Dangote agreement outside the parliament, labelling him as an ‘extortionist’ during his coastal region tour.

The head of state maintained that the agreement should be looked for or pursued through the parliament and insisted that he would not give the agreement document to Sifuna or any opposition leader directly.

 “The era of secretive deals negotiated in the dark will end when we kick this current regime out and return our country back to the rule of Law.” Sifuna said after complaining about what he described as secretive government transactions.

Article 35 (1) Every citizen has the right of access to information held by the State.

Article 35 (3): The State SHALL publish and publicise any important information affecting the nation.

Disclosure of information is a Constitutional imperative not something left to the whims…

— Edwin Sifuna (@edwinsifuna) October 2, 2026

On the other hand, Ruto claimed that the demands are part of extortion schemes by Sifuna and others.

The president has vowed to protect businessman Aliko Dangote and the refinery investment in Lamu from ‘extortionists’ seeking to stall the project through various demands and court cases.

Speaking at Shanzu Teacher’s College in Kisauni constituency, Mombasa county, on 1st October 2026, Ruto said that he would not allow the people that previously frustrated Dangote’s efforts to establish a cement factory stop his new oil refinery investment in Lamu.

“Yesterday, I heard Mr Empty of Shiny Things asking about the agreement for the Dangote refinery. He has been sent by his sponsor to ask for it.”

“You know the Government and parliamentary protocols to follow in requesting for such information. But I know the real reason you are asking for the agreement is for you to take it to your sponsor to extort Mr Dangote as you have done before,” he said.

President Ruto went further to say that his government will not allow investors to be subjected to any form of extortion, intimidation or any unnecessary interference.

He maintained that Kenya should create a conducive environment in order to attract worthy investors.

APERIT FM, HII NI YETU