President Ruto announces Kenya will no longer export unprocessed minerals

Speaking in South Horr during a thanksgiving service in Samburu County on Sunday, President Ruto lamented the lost capital and value incurred from exporting raw materials to other nations.

He said that the government will explore the option of processing all minerals — gold, limestone, iron ore, graphite, titanium, soda ash — noting that it will provide employment opportunities for many and increase capital value for the nation.

"Going into the future, our position as the government. Whether we are talking about Magadi Soda or oil or all our minerals we have taken the decision that we will no longer export raw materials. We are going to process all minerals available in Kenya," he said.

President Ruto added that his administration will invite partnerships to process the aforesaid minerals among them with business mogul Aliko Dangote on building a mega-billion oil refinery and petrochemical complex in Lamu.

"It is the reason why we are working with Dangote to have an oil refinery in Lamu and working with others to have gold refineries because it is imprudent for any government to export raw materials, create jobs and value in other countries while we have a big population of young people who need jobs and whose value on adding to our products can make a big difference in our country," he added.

He likewise defended the move to oust Tata Chemicals Limited from operating in Magadi, Kajiado County, saying that Kenya has not been profiteering from its operations in the country.

The Head of State claimed that the company has been exporting raw materials and benefitting other nations and importing their processed products.

"We want to give five, six or even 10 companies an opportunity to use the resources there to create jobs, value, create wealth and reduce poverty," Ruto noted.

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.