NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made explosive allegations over President William Ruto’s directive ordering Tata Chemicals Magadi to leave Kenya, claiming the decision could be part of a wider plan to hand lucrative mineral resources around Lake Magadi to politically connected interests and prospective Chinese investors.
Gachagua made the allegations in an interview with CNN-News18, shortly after Ruto publicly confirmed that he had directed Tata Chemicals to stop its operations in Kenya.
The former Deputy President accused the government of using regulatory compliance as a cover for what he described as state-sponsored economic sabotage.
Ruto announced the directive during his visit to Kajiado County on September 3, 2026.
The President said he had ordered Tata Chemicals to “pack up and leave”, accusing the company of extracting soda ash from Lake Magadi for more than a century without generating sufficient economic benefits for the surrounding community.
“Tata Chemicals Magadi has had a contract for 100 years and they have done nothing. I told them the other day to pack up and leave,” Ruto said.
The President argued that Kenya needed to obtain greater value from its mineral resources instead of allowing companies to extract minerals and export them for processing elsewhere.
Ruto said a new investor would be expected to establish industries in Kajiado, particularly glass and chemical manufacturing facilities, to create jobs and increase local value addition.
The directive followed an earlier government suspension of Tata Chemicals Magadi’s operations in July.
Gachagua has challenged the government’s explanation for the decision.
According to reports of his CNN-News18 interview, the former Deputy President alleged that the compliance concerns were a “smokescreen” designed to remove Tata Chemicals and create an opportunity for other interests to access the resources around Lake Magadi.
He linked the alleged plan to Chinese investors and individuals he described as government cronies.
Gachagua further claimed that the Lake Magadi basin contains potentially valuable lithium and oil deposits, arguing that the soda ash dispute could therefore involve interests extending beyond the mineral currently extracted by Tata Chemicals.
In another serious allegation, Gachagua claimed that Ruto had previously demanded Sh3 billion from the investor.
The accusation, forms part of Gachagua’s broader claim that commercial interests influenced the government’s position toward Tata Chemicals.
The former Deputy President has not publicly provided independently verified evidence establishing the alleged demand.
The allegation is also separate from the government’s publicly stated explanation, which centres on regulatory compliance, local development and value addition.
Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has also attacked the government’s decision.
The party described the directive as state-sponsored economic sabotage, warning that shutting down Tata Chemicals could affect thousands of workers and families who depend directly or indirectly on the company’s operations.
“This dictatorial decree, issued under the guise of regulatory compliance, is a textbook example of state-sponsored economic sabotage that will plunge thousands of Kenyan families into absolute desperation,” DCP said in a statement.
The party has questioned why the government would remove an established investor instead of negotiating with the company over compliance, royalties, employment and community benefits. DCP leaders have also linked the decision to what they allege are commercial interests connected to Ruto.
Lake Magadi produces trona, a naturally occurring mineral used to manufacture soda ash. Soda ash is an important industrial product used in glassmaking, chemicals, detergents and other industries.
The President initially said two new companies would take over the operation. However, following public criticism, the government indicated that the Magadi opportunity would instead be subjected to a competitive bidding process.
Tata Chemicals has rejected the suggestion that it has simply ignored Kenyan regulations.
The company has said it respects the authority of the Kenyan government and will continue engaging with officials through legal and regulatory channels.
Tata also maintains that its Kenyan subsidiary is fully compliant with regulatory requirements and has submitted documentation requested by the Ministry of Mining.
