DCP claims closure of Tata Chemicals is set to advance Ruto's business interests

According to the party, the shutdown of Africa's natural soda ash and salt producer is merely a state-sponsored economic sabotage to prop up President Ruto's business interests in exploring minerals in the area.

They claimed that the closure will affect livelihoods for over 100,000 residents in and around Magadi areas and President Ruto's alleged involvement will plunge the nation into economic turmoil.

"The truth of the matter is, there are huge deposits worth trillions of shillings of LITHIUM metals underneath the Magadi area. Further, there are huge oil prospects in the same vicinity within which TATA Chemicals Limited operates," the party said in a statement.

"Mr. President, Kenya's Natural resources cannot be individualized to your personal interests. This is not the first time you are going for our natural resources for your personal gain; we are well aware of your hand in Turkana Oil, Gold in Shimba Hills, Gold exploration in Laikipia, Narok, Kakamega and Amboseli among others. Now you want Lithium and Oil in Magadi. Mr. President, how much is enough? How much?"

The party further claimed that the President wants to create a crisis by chasing out Tata Chemicals or become a majority shareholder to bring in Gulf Energy associates to do oil exploration.

It therefore demanded the immediate reversal of the closure, arguing it will result in unprecedented job losses and starve the local community of critical infrastructure, basic healthcare, and clean water supplies. 

"The closure of Tata Chemical will expose millions of people to an immediate national health hazard. By cutting off the supply of hundreds of tonnes of essential soda ash required monthly by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company and its environs, this risks the lives of millions of the people of Kenya and in particular Nairobi," it added.

President Ruto, during his tour in Kajiado later in the day, argued that the closure has been occasioned by long-stalled gains, claiming the region and the nation have not benefited from its activity in Kenya.

He intimated that another company will occupy the place and will be required to make glass and other chemicals.

"We have many resources that can transform Kajiado and the nation. Tata Chemicals has had the contract for 100 years and they have not built anything and not employed people in Kajiado. I have told them to pack up and leave," Ruto said.

"They take our resources and take them to India and other places. We will bring a new company, and they will be required to build another company for making glass and another for making chemicals."

Tata Chemicals has been in Kenya for 115 years, starting operations in 1911 at Lake Magadi as the Magadi Soda Company and was later owned by Tata Chemicals in 2005.

It extracts and refines trona from Lake Magadi to turn it into natural soda ash (sodium carbonate) which is essential for making glass, detergents, chemicals, and treating water.

Its annual shipments exceed 350,000 tons to markets in Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and other nations, ranking among Kenya's top export earners.

Its mining operations were suspended starting July 28, 2026, following a directive by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs over compliance and licensing issues.

Mining Cabinet Secretary (CS) Hassan Joho said that the Ministry has attempted to hold engagements with the company for years, but it has remained non-compliant.

The High Court has directed that a petition challenging the possible resumption of mining operations at Lake Magadi will be heard on November 18, 2026.