Nairobi, September 3- President William Ruto has directed Tata Chemicals Magadi to leave Kenya, accusing the company of benefiting from Lake Magadi’s resources for more than a century without providing sufficient economic benefits to the local community.
Speaking in Kajiado on Thursday, September 3, Ruto said the government would seek a new investor to take over the exploitation of resources around Lake Magadi.
The President said the incoming investor would have to meet strict conditions, including establishing processing industries in Kajiado instead of simply extracting raw materials and exporting them.
Among the requirements will be the construction of a major glass manufacturing plant and a chemical processing facility. Ruto said the move is intended to promote local value addition, create jobs and ensure communities benefit directly from the resources found in their area.
Ruto criticised Tata Chemicals for operating at Lake Magadi for over 100 years without establishing significant industries or creating enough employment opportunities for residents.
The directive follows a decision by Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho in July to suspend Tata Chemicals Magadi’s mining operations over alleged non-compliance with the Mining Act and other statutory requirements.
The company later said it had submitted all the documents and information requested by the Ministry of Mining and maintained that it had addressed the concerns raised by the government.
Tata Chemicals has operated at Lake Magadi since 1911 and is one of Kenya’s major soda ash producers. The company’s operations have also been significant to the local economy and supply chains.
Ruto’s latest announcement signals a shift in the government’s approach to natural resource extraction, with the President insisting that investors must establish industries locally and create greater economic opportunities for Kenyans rather than simply exporting raw materials.
