Nairobi: President William Ruto has announced plans to bring in a new investor to take over soda ash mining operations at Lake Magadi, following the government’s decision to end Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited’s operations. Speaking in Kajiado during a development tour of the County, President Ruto said the new investor would be required to establish a glass manufacturing plant and a chemical processing factory in Kajiado before being granted a license to operate.
According to Kenya News Agency, the move aims to ensure that Kenya derives greater economic value from the mineral resources at Lake Magadi through local processing, job creation, and industrialization instead of exporting raw materials for processing elsewhere. President Ruto emphasized the potential of soda ash as a valuable resource that could transform Kajiado and the wider Kenyan economy, questioning the rationale behind importing glass when the raw materials are locally available.
President Ruto criticized Tata Chemicals for operating in Kajiado for over a century without making significant investments in the County or providing adequate employment opportunities for residents. He stated, “Despite operating in Kajiado for more than 100 years, Tata Chemicals Magadi has built nothing in Kajiado. No industry and no employment opportunities. I told them to pack and go.”
The announcement follows a suspension of all mining operations by Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited, ordered by Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Hassan Ali Joho, over alleged regulatory non-compliance. On July 29, 2026, Joho ordered the suspension, citing unresolved compliance issues such as the absence of a clear mineral beneficiation and value-addition strategy, outstanding royalty reconciliation and payment obligations, and inadequate export reporting and reconciliation.
The company was also criticized for its implementation of Community Development Agreements (CDAs), employment and skills transfer plans for Kenyan citizens, procurement of local goods and services, as well as environmental compliance. Since the suspension, Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited has shut down its operations.
