A section of Magadi residents have welcomed the suspension of mining operations by Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited, saying the move will give the community an opportunity to have long-standing grievances against the company addressed.
The residents, led by Magadi Ward Member of County Assembly Isaac Kiresian and members of the Ilmakati Professional Association (IPA), commended Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho for suspending the company’s operations over regulatory non-compliance.
Speaking to the media in Magadi, the residents said the suspension was long overdue, accusing the company of failing to adequately address community concerns and comply with existing agreements and regulations.
“As the people of Magadi, we request the government and Tata Chemicals Magadi to also address our complaints even as they discuss compliance issues. As the company complies, we need our due share as a community,” said Kiresian.
The community raised concerns over the implementation of the Community Development Agreement (CDA), saying that although the agreement was signed on August 4, 2019 and submitted to the Ministry of Mining, it had not been fully implemented.
The residents claimed that they had not received the 20 per cent share of royalties they are entitled to, saying the community continues to face challenges, including inadequate access to water, infrastructure and socio-economic opportunities.
They also called for the review of colonial-era agreements signed in 1904 and 1911, arguing that the company occupies large tracts of land that are currently not in use.
The community demanded that unused land be reverted to the local community.
IPA Secretary Kelvin Koinet called for increased employment opportunities and representation of local residents in the company’s management and decision-making structures.
“Magadi community forms less than 50 per cent of employees in Tata Chemicals Magadi company and we are demanding at least 90 per cent of employment opportunities. As a people, we are the most affected by the company’s operations and, as an educated community, we demand to be represented on the company’s board where decisions that affect us are made,” said Koinet.
He alleged that the company had increasingly relied on foreign workers, claiming that some local employees were being required to train foreign recruits who later took over their positions.
“Some of our people have worked in the company for many years and deserve to be appointed to managerial positions,” he added.
The residents further accused the company of failing to adequately involve the community in public participation exercises, claiming that a recent environmental impact assessment for the proposed expansion was conducted without sufficient community involvement.
On July 29, 2026, CS Joho suspended all mining operations by Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited over regulatory non-compliance.
The Ministry said several critical compliance issues remained unresolved, including the lack of a clear mineral beneficiation and value addition strategy, outstanding royalty reconciliation and payment obligations, inadequate export reporting and reconciliation, and concerns over the implementation of Community Development Agreements.
The company was also faulted over employment and skills transfer plans for Kenyan citizens, procurement of local goods and services, and environmental compliance.
The Ministry directed Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited to submit comprehensive documentation and evidence demonstrating compliance with all statutory obligations and to address any outstanding liabilities before resuming operations.
The CS said the company would only be allowed to resume operations after demonstrating full compliance with the Mining Act, its regulations and other applicable laws governing Kenya’s mining sector.
The company has since shut down its operations following the suspension.
By Diana Meneto
