No company will occupy 240,000 acres in Kajiado - Ruto declares

The President said the government plans to return about 70 per cent of the land to local residents, with mining companies expected to occupy only between 20 and 30 per cent of the acreage.

"We're going to make sure that no company occupies 240,000 acres of Kajiado land. They are going to occupy maybe 20 or maximum 30 per cent. Seventy per cent of that land will be returned to the people so that we can use it for other purposes," Ruto stated.

Speaking during his tour of Kajiado West and Kajiado East constituencies on Saturday, Ruto said the decision was part of the government's plan to ensure residents benefit more directly from the natural resources found on their land.

The President's remarks come as the government prepares to advertise a new mining contract for Lake Magadi following the expiry of the nearly 100-year tenure held by Tata Chemicals Ltd.

Ruto said the government would not renew the existing arrangement, arguing that the long-running mining concession had failed to deliver sufficient benefits to Kenyans and, in particular, residents of Kajiado.

"For nearly 100 years, Kenyans, especially the people of Kajiado, have not received their fair share of benefits from the minerals extracted from their land," he stated.

The President said companies that secure future mining contracts at Lake Magadi will be required to establish processing and manufacturing facilities in Kenya to ensure value addition takes place locally.

"Our minerals must create value at home, generate wealth for Kajiado, create jobs for our young people and stimulate local industries," Ruto stated.

Magadi is rich in soda ash, a mineral used in the manufacture of glass, chemicals and other industrial products.

Ruto said Kenya must move away from the practice of exporting raw materials and importing finished products, arguing that the arrangement denies the country employment opportunities, wealth and industrial growth.

He also criticised politicians opposing the termination of Tata Chemicals' contract, accusing them of defending an arrangement that does not serve the interests of Kenyans.

"You have no clarity on the Magadi issue. You talk about the rule of law, but there is no rule of law that undermines the interests of Kenyans and the people of Kajiado," Ruto stated.

The President maintained that Kenya is capable of negotiating investment agreements that protect the country's interests and ensure local communities benefit from natural resources.

He said Kenya would continue welcoming investors willing to enter into mutually beneficial partnerships but would reject exploitative and extractive arrangements.

"This is the message I took to the G7. Africa is not subservient. We need partnerships, not exploitative and extractive contracts," Ruto stated.

The government will also accelerate the issuance of title deeds to residents in Kajiado as part of efforts to secure land ownership and unlock the economic potential of the area.

During the tour, Ruto also launched and inspected several development projects, including the construction of the 22-kilometre Ngong-Kibiko-Kangiria Road, valued at Ksh.1.4 billion.

The road will link Kajiado and Kiambu counties through Ngong, Kibiko, Kangiria and Gikambura, with the government saying it will reduce travel time and transport costs while improving access to markets, schools and health facilities.

The President also launched Phase Two of the Nguruman Irrigation Project, a Ksh.560 million initiative expected to bring an additional 2,000 acres under irrigation.

He said Phase Three would eventually increase the total area under irrigation to 20,000 acres, with a dam planned to support the expansion through financing from the National Infrastructure Fund.

Ruto also inspected the construction of the 72-kilometre Isara-Mashuuru-Imaroro Road, which serves Kajiado East, Kajiado Central and Kajiado West constituencies.

Other projects inspected included the construction of student hostels at Kajiado East Technical and Vocational College, the ongoing construction of the Kitengela Modern Market and the groundbreaking of the Kitengela Affordable Housing Project.

The President further defended the use of the Roads Maintenance Levy, saying it had enabled the government to raise funds for the construction of thousands of kilometres of roads and settle pending bills in the sector.

On healthcare, Ruto said the Social Health Authority (SHA) was expanding access to medical services across the country.

He said 749,000 people in Kajiado County had registered with SHA, with Ksh.2.7 billion disbursed to hospitals and health facilities in the county.

The President also said the government had implemented major reforms in education, including streamlining the Competency-Based Education system, recruiting 100,000 teachers and constructing 23,000 additional classrooms.

Ruto urged Kajiado residents to maintain peaceful coexistence and reject leaders seeking to divide communities along tribal lines.

He also called on Kenyans to scrutinise leaders seeking elective office, saying the country's progress depended on electing leaders based on integrity, competence and their track record.