Ruto Ends Tata Chemicals Monopoly in Magadi, Orders Fresh Contracts and 90% Land Return

By Wasike Elvis

President William Ruto has announced sweeping changes to mineral exploitation in Magadi, Kajiado County, declaring that the government will end what he termed an exploitative and extractive contract involving Tata Chemicals and open the Magadi operations to wider participation.

Ruto said Kenyans, particularly residents of Kajiado, had for nearly a century failed to receive a fair share of the benefits from minerals extracted from their land.

“That era is over,” the President said, announcing that the Magadi contract will be advertised afresh to create opportunities for greater participation.

He said the government would no longer allow a single company to monopolise operations at Magadi at the expense of local residents and the wider Kenyan economy.

Raw mineral exports to end

The President also said companies that secure new Magadi contracts will be required to establish processing and manufacturing facilities in Kenya rather than exporting raw materials and creating jobs and wealth elsewhere.

Ruto said Kenya's mineral resources must generate value locally, create jobs for young people, generate wealth for Kajiado residents and stimulate industries.

“We will also not allow the export of raw materials that leaves Kenya with little value while wealth and jobs are created elsewhere,” he said.

The President further announced plans to return 90 per cent of the 240,000 acres he said were unjustly appropriated by colonial authorities for Magadi Soda mining to the local community.

He said the government would simultaneously accelerate the issuance of title deeds to residents in the area.

Water and hospital services

Ruto also addressed concerns over essential services in Magadi, directing the Ministry of Water to restore water supply to residents by the following week.

He said the Kajiado County Government would take over operations of the local hospital in Magadi Town to ensure residents continue accessing healthcare services.

The measures, he said, are intended to ensure that communities living in mineral-rich areas directly benefit from the resources found on their land.

Sh1.4 billion road project launched

During his Kajiado visit, Ruto also launched the construction of the 22-kilometre Ngong-Kibiko-Kangeria road, a Sh1.4 billion project linking Kajiado and Kiambu counties.

The road will connect Ngong and Kibiko through Kangeria and onwards to Gikambura in Kikuyu Constituency, with the government expecting the project to improve transport, access to markets and movement of agricultural produce.

The President said improved road connectivity would help open up the region to greater economic opportunities.

Sh500 million irrigation project

Ruto also launched the rehabilitation of the Nguruman Block A Irrigation Project, which is being undertaken at a cost of Sh500 million.

The project is expected to place 2,000 acres of land under irrigation, boosting agricultural production and improving the livelihoods of farmers in the area.

The President said the investment would help strengthen agricultural productivity while creating opportunities for farmers to increase their incomes.

Sh5.6 billion road rehabilitation

The government will also re-tarmac the Imaroro-Mashuuru-Ishiara road at a cost of Sh5.6 billion.

According to Ruto, the project will enhance connectivity and mobility while opening up Kajiado and neighbouring areas to increased economic activity.

He also inspected the Mashuuru Modern Market, which is currently under construction and is expected to provide a more dignified and conducive trading environment for Mama Mboga and other traders.

While addressing residents in Mashuuru, Ruto urged them to support leaders with clear development plans and a vision for the country.

Kajiado East TVET gets Sh140 million hostels

The President also inspected the construction of student hostels at Kajiado East Technical and Vocational Training College, a project being implemented at a cost of Sh140 million.

The modern hostels are expected to provide affordable accommodation for students and support efforts to expand access to technical and vocational education.

Ruto said the investment forms part of the government's broader plan to expand access to quality education and skills training regardless of students' economic backgrounds.

He said the government is employing more teachers, constructing additional classrooms and expanding infrastructure in schools and training institutions to accommodate a growing number of learners.

Higher education funding review

The President further said the government is reviewing the higher education funding model to ensure students in universities, technical training colleges and Kenya Medical Training College centres can access financial assistance needed to pursue their studies.

He said the objective is to ensure that financial challenges do not prevent young Kenyans from acquiring education and skills necessary to achieve their ambitions.

The announcements place mineral resources, land ownership, infrastructure, water, healthcare, agriculture and education at the centre of the government's development agenda in Kajiado.

Ruto said the overarching priority is to ensure that residents of Magadi and the wider Kajiado County benefit meaningfully from the resources found in their land, while investors operate responsibly and contribute to the local economy.