KAJIADO, Kenya — Residents of Magadi in Kajiado County have thrown their support behind the government’s suspension of Tata Chemicals Magadi’s mining operations, insisting that the company should only be allowed to resume operations after addressing long-standing community grievances and complying with mining regulations.
Speaking during a protest in Magadi, residents said the mining company must commit to a legally binding Community Development Agreement (CDA) that guarantees tangible social and economic benefits for the local community before mining activities restart.
Magadi Ward MCA Isaac Kiresian said the community welcomed the government’s decision to halt the company’s operations, describing it as an opportunity to address issues that residents have raised for years.
“The government suspended Tata Chemicals because it was not compliant with the regulations. Once the company complies and is allowed to resume operations, we want our rightful share as a community through a binding agreement,” Kiresian said.
Residents argued that the company should fully implement the Community Development Agreement signed in 2019 and invest more in local infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and roads.
They also called for a review of historical land agreements dating back to the colonial era, claiming that Tata Chemicals continues to occupy extensive parcels of land that remain underutilised and should be returned to the local community.
The demonstrators further demanded greater participation in the company’s governance, including representation on Tata Chemicals’ board of directors, as well as increased employment opportunities for local residents.
Ilmakati Professional Association Secretary Kelvin Koinet said the community deserves a stronger voice in decisions affecting its livelihoods.
“As a people, we are the most affected by the company’s operations and, as an educated community, we demand to be represented on the company’s board where decisions that affect us are made,” Koinet said.
The protests follow the suspension of Tata Chemicals Magadi’s operations by Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho on July 29 over alleged regulatory non-compliance.
According to the Ministry, the company is required to address concerns relating to the implementation of Community Development Agreements, environmental compliance, local procurement, mineral beneficiation, royalty reconciliation and export reporting before operations can resume.
The ministry directed the company to demonstrate full compliance with the Mining Act and all applicable regulations before receiving approval to restart mining activities.
Residents, however, maintained that regulatory compliance alone would not be sufficient, insisting that the reopening process must also resolve long-standing community concerns over land rights, employment opportunities and equitable sharing of benefits from the mining activities.
