Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has opposed the reopening of Tata Chemicals in Magadi, insisting that the company must first address outstanding regulatory and community concerns.

Speaking in Elang’ata Wuas in Kajiado West Constituency, Lenku said the company should remain closed until it complies with its obligations, including returning community land, paying outstanding land rates to the county government and restoring the supply of water from the Nguruman area to the community.

“We are hearing news that a section of Magadi residents wants the company to be reopened. If the company is reopened in its current condition, then there would have been no need to close it in the first place,” said Lenku.

“As the Kajiado County Government, we are not satisfied with the reopening because the Company has not yet returned community land, paid the land rates owed to the County or restored Nguruman water supply to the community, among other issues. It should, therefore, remain closed until it fulfils the obligation,” he added.

The Governor alleged that the company owed the county government Sh12 billion in land rates and the Magadi community Sh1 billion.

He further claimed that only eight per cent of Magadi residents were employed by the company, arguing that local people should have greater access to employment opportunities.

Lenku said the county government wanted 70 per cent of the available employment opportunities to go to residents of Kajiado.

“If it is reopened without all these issues being addressed, then we suspect foul play,” he said.

The Governor described the Magadi dispute as a matter of significant importance to the people of Kajiado, saying it raised fundamental questions about land ownership, access to water, natural resources and the rights of communities hosting major economic investments.

He called for a comprehensive Community Development Agreement (CDA) to ensure that the host community receives a fair share of the benefits generated by the company’s operations.

Environmental degradation was another concern raised by Lenku, who maintained that the interests and welfare of local residents must be considered alongside commercial activities and the need to sustain investment.

The Governor also accused individuals acting on behalf of Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited of attempting to resolve the dispute and secure the resumption of operations without addressing the county government’s concerns.

“We are aware that agents of Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited are pulling all strings possible to sidestep the County Government by seeking to resolve the dispute and resume operations without addressing the above matters,” he said.

“Our eyes are wide open, and nothing short of a fair and just resolution to the impasse will be accepted,” Lenku added.

Lenku’s remarks follow the suspension of operations at the Magadi-based company by Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho on July 29, 2026, over alleged non-compliance with mining regulations and other statutory requirements.

The outstanding issues cited by the national government include mineral beneficiation and value addition, payment of royalties, reporting of mineral exports, implementation of community development agreements, employment of Kenyans, skills transfer, local procurement and environmental compliance.

The Ilmakati Professional Association (IPA) has also raised concerns about the company’s contribution to local development, including access to water, roads, schools, employment opportunities and the implementation of community development commitments.

A Community Development Agreement signed in August 2019 has been among the issues raised in discussions about the company’s obligations to its host community, alongside concerns over royalty payments and community participation in decisions affecting the area.

By Diana Meneto