Sifuna Hits Back at Ruto Over Tata Chemicals Shutdown

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticised President William Ruto over the government’s decision to suspend Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited’s mining operations, warning that the move could undermine investor confidence in Kenya.

Sifuna said the government’s approach to the dispute raises concerns about the security of investments and the rule of law.

In a social media post, the senator argued that investors consider the dispute resolution framework in a country before deciding where to put their money.

“When companies make decisions about where to put their investments, the dispute resolution regime in place is key because disputes arise all the time,” Sifuna said.

He criticised what he described as the government’s “Mambo Matatu, pack and go” approach to dealing with businesses.

“The ‘Mambo Matatu, pack and go’ approach where the President can just shut down your business is very bad for investment and consequently, job creation,” he stated.

Sifuna said the opposition movement Linda Mwananchi would continue pushing for greater adherence to the rule of law.

“It is why we in Linda Mwananchi insist on a return to the Rule of Law. That’s our Plan!” he said.

Sifuna’s criticism came a day after President Ruto defended the government’s decision to suspend Tata Chemicals’ mining operations at Lake Magadi.

Speaking in Kajiado County on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Ruto said Kenya had not received enough economic benefits from the company’s long-term exploitation of resources in the area.

The President said the government would seek a new investor to exploit the resources at Lake Magadi, but under stricter conditions aimed at creating jobs and promoting local manufacturing.

Ruto said any new investor would be required to establish processing and manufacturing industries in Kajiado County.

Ruto Accuses Tata Chemicals of Limited Local Benefits

Ruto said Tata Chemicals had operated at Lake Magadi for more than 100 years but had failed to establish significant manufacturing industries in Kajiado.

“We have Lake Magadi, we have a big company, we have resources that can change Kajiado County and Kenya as a whole. Tata Chemicals Company, which is here in Kajiado, has been running its contract for over 100 years,” Ruto said.

The President questioned the benefits residents had received from the company’s long-term operations.

“They have not constructed anything in Kajiado, including even employing people here. I recently told them to vacate and get out of this country. Let them go. They have been taking our resources to India,” he added.

Ruto said Kenya would no longer allow investors to extract natural resources without creating industries and employment opportunities in host communities.

The President said the government would impose new conditions on any company seeking to exploit resources at Lake Magadi.

“We have said we are bringing in a new company, and the new ruling for the new company is that they must establish a glass processing company here and also another company for processing chemicals here in Kajiado,” Ruto said.

The proposed arrangement would require investors to undertake more value addition locally instead of extracting resources without sufficient industrial development in the host county.

Ruto said the approach would create jobs and open up new business opportunities for residents of Kajiado.

The dispute has also drawn opposition from MPs allied to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

In a statement issued on September 3, the lawmakers described the Ministry of Mining’s directive as “economically suicidal” and “legally rogue”.

“From the outset, we condemn reckless, economically suicidal, and legally rogue directive by the Ministry of Mining to forcefully shut down Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited,” the MPs said.

The lawmakers warned that the closure could result in significant job losses and affect thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on the company’s operations.

They pointed to more than 500 direct employees and thousands of contractors, suppliers, transporters and other support workers linked to the company.

Tata Chemicals has separately stated that about 500 employees and their families, alongside contractors, suppliers, transporters and local businesses, depend directly or indirectly on its economic activities.

The company has also said about 30,000 people in the Magadi community benefit from its support in areas such as water, healthcare, education, infrastructure and community development.

The DCP lawmakers have also alleged that the wider Magadi area contains potentially valuable lithium deposits and oil prospects.

“The flimsy excuses given are just a decoy; the truth of the matter is, there are huge deposits worth trillions of shillings of LITHIUM metals underneath the Magadi area,” the MPs alleged.

They further claimed that there were oil prospects in the vicinity where Tata Chemicals operates.

The lawmakers accused the government of seeking greater control over natural resources and suggested that the shutdown could pave the way for new investors.

“Now you want lithium and oil in Magadi. Mr President, how much is enough? How much?” they asked.

The allegations were not accompanied by evidence in their statement.

The lawmakers also raised concerns over the potential impact of the shutdown on water supply in Magadi.

They said residents had historically relied on water services associated with Tata Chemicals and warned that the suspension could worsen an existing water shortage.

“Before independence, people used to fetch water in Enkuruman water springs areas, but since then, they have been getting water from the Tata Chemicals; the residents are facing a water crisis,” the MPs said.

“We are staring at loses of human lives,” they added.

The lawmakers also questioned how Nairobi’s water treatment system would obtain the soda ash required to treat water if Tata Chemicals’ operations remain suspended.

“Show the people of Nairobi Water and sewerage company where they will get an average of 360 tonnes of soda ash every month to treat water for the people,” they said.

Tata Chemicals describes itself as Africa’s largest soda ash manufacturer and one of Kenya’s leading exporters.

Its Magadi operation produces natural soda ash from trona deposits at Lake Magadi.

The company has maintained that its operations support thousands of livelihoods through direct employment and its network of contractors, suppliers, transporters and local businesses.

It has also highlighted its contribution to community programmes covering water supply, healthcare, education, infrastructure and other development initiatives.