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.
He said the move aimed at ensuring that Kenya derives greater economic value from the mineral resources at Lake Magadi through local processing, job creation and industrialisation instead of exporting raw materials for processing elsewhere.
“Soda ash is a big resource that can change Kajiado and Kenya at large. Why should we import glass if we have the raw material for making glass here?” he said.
President Ruto accused Tata Chemicals of operating in Kajiado for more than a century without making sufficient investments in the County or creating adequate employment opportunities for residents.
“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,” said President Ruto.
The announcement comes weeks after Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Hassan Ali Joho. suspended all mining operations by Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited over alleged regulatory non-compliance.
On July 29, 2026, Joho ordered the suspension, citing several unresolved compliance issues, including the lack 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 faulted over the 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, the company has since shut down operations.
By Diana Meneto
