Former BBC journalist Ferdinand Omondi, now Greenpeace Africa's Communications Lead, says he received death threats online after raising questions about the proposed Dangote oil refinery in Lamu.
Former BBC journalist Ferdinand Omondi has claimed he received death threats and violent messages online after questioning Aliko Dangote's proposed oil refinery project in Lamu.
Omondi, who now serves as Communications Lead for East and Southern Africa at Greenpeace Africa, said in posts shared on his social media accounts on July 17 that the backlash began after he raised concerns about the project's potential impact on local communities. According to Omondi, the threats were made primarily on X, where some users also insulted and mocked him using Swahili slang.
"So I've recently received death threats and threats of violence on social media. Why? Because I asked a few very simple questions about the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu," Omondi said.
He said one social media user went as far as suggesting they now understood why some governments target people like him, a remark Omondi described as deeply disturbing.
Critics Target His Employer Instead of His Questions
Rather than responding to his questions, Omondi said some critics circulated screenshots of his LinkedIn profile, highlighting his employment at Greenpeace Africa as though they had exposed wrongdoing.
"They shared screenshots of my LinkedIn profile like they had uncovered state secrets and exposed me. Yes, I work for Greenpeace Africa. I'm the communications lead for East and Southern Africa," Omondi said.
"My profile is public. No, that's not a crime or a secret. Then came the insults, especially on X. Questions about where our office is. And one person even said they now understand why some governments kill people like us," he added.
What Questions Sparked the Backlash
Omondi said his questions focused on the potential impact of the proposed refinery on Lamu residents, including whether communities had been informed about possible displacement and whether a comprehensive environmental impact assessment had been conducted.
He also questioned the potential impact of the project on mangrove forests, fishing grounds, farmland and ancestral land, arguing that these issues deserved public scrutiny. Despite the backlash, Omondi maintained that raising such concerns was necessary to protect the interests of local communities and the environment.
About the Proposed Refinery
The proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu is expected to cost about Ksh2.3 trillion (USD17 billion) and, according to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, will require about 5,000 acres of land. The facility is projected to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day as Kenya seeks to strengthen its energy infrastructure and reduce supply disruptions.