Members of Parliament allied to the Democratic Congress Party (DCP), led by Senator John Methu, have condemned the closure of Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited, describing the move as a direct threat to Kenyan workers and residents of Kajiado County.
In a statement issued on September 3, 2026, the lawmakers said the closure had created uncertainty for more than 100,000 residents in and around the Magadi area who depend directly or indirectly on the company.
The MPs criticised what they described as a directive by the Ministry of Mining to suspend operations at Tata Chemicals Magadi, demanding its immediate and unconditional reversal.
“We condemn reckless, economically suicidal, and legally rogue directive by the Ministry of Mining to forcefully shut down Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited,” the leaders said in their statement.
They argued that the closure would have significant economic consequences, particularly for more than 500 direct employees and thousands of workers and businesses supporting the facility.
The lawmakers also raised concerns over the impact of the closure on essential services in Magadi, including healthcare, infrastructure and access to clean water, which they said have historically benefited from the company’s presence and corporate social responsibility programmes.
“Punishing the people of Magadi by locking the gates of this facility, the government is actively starving the local community of critical infrastructure, basic healthcare, and clean water supplies,” Senator Methu said.
The DCP legislators further warned about the potential impact on Nairobi’s water treatment system, claiming that Tata Chemicals supplies hundreds of tonnes of soda ash required by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company.
“The closure of Tata Chemicals will result in unprecedented job losses,” they said, accusing the government of having “heartlessly” rendered workers jobless.
They questioned where Nairobi would source the approximately 360 tonnes of soda ash they said is required every month for water treatment if Tata Chemicals remains closed.
The lawmakers also raised concerns about alleged mineral and oil prospects in the Magadi area. They claimed there are significant lithium deposits and oil prospects in the region and accused President William Ruto’s administration of having interests in the area’s natural resources.
The allegations were made by the DCP lawmakers in their statement and were not accompanied by evidence in the document.
The MPs also accused the government of undermining Kenya’s investment reputation by suspending operations at a major industrial facility, arguing that such action could discourage investors.
DCP MPs list Kajiado promises
The lawmakers also used the statement to question the government over several development promises made to residents of Kajiado County.
Among the projects they listed were the Kajiado North 65-kilometre road network, the Taveta-Njukini-Ilasit road, the Kitengela dual carriageway and the Imaroro-Isara road.
They also questioned the status of the Rongai-Tails-Kitengela road, the Kajiado Dam, a pledge to provide 25 coolers per ward and the Bisil-Torosei-Magadi-Ntulele road.
The DCP leaders urged Ruto, who they said was expected to tour Kajiado County, to address residents’ concerns over water, infrastructure and livelihoods.
They specifically called on the President to observe the water challenges facing residents of Magadi, saying communities were being forced to queue with jerrycans for water for domestic use and livestock.
The lawmakers said residents were not asking the government for additional development funding but wanted existing services and facilities in Magadi restored and protected.
They cited hospitals, schools and other community services that they said had previously received support through Tata Chemicals’ corporate social responsibility programmes.
