He, at the same time, challenged his rivals to tell Kenyans their agenda instead of slogans that add no value.
Speaking in Kajiado County, Ruto took a swipe at the opposition challenging them tell Kenyans what they will do differently if elected to office.
“Don’t just sing ‘wantam’ or ‘Kasongo’ bring your agenda to the people, tell Kenyans your policies and what you will do to them,” he said.
The President also vowed to ensure peaceful elections where no Kenyan will be coerced into voting in a particular direction.
The head of state at the same time announced his administration will ensure another investor that will create opportunities for the local community will replace Tata Chemicals.
The President who is on a development tour of Kajiado county maintained his government would not allow the company to continue operating without delivering on the commitments it made, particularly on investment, expansion and employment opportunities for residents.
He accused Tata Chemicals of failing to establish new ventures and create the jobs that were expected to benefit the surrounding community.
“We have Lake Magadi, we have a big company, we have resources that can change Kajiado County and Kenya as a whole. Tata Chemicals Company, which is here in Kajiado, has been running its contract for over 100 years,” Ruto said.
“They have not constructed anything in Kajiado, including even employing people here. I recently told them to vacate and get out of this country. Let them go. They have been taking our resources to India and to other places.”
The President said the government will bring in a new investor who will not only build a glass company for the area but also a chemical firm in the region.
“We have said we are bringing in a new company, and the new company must establish a glass processing company here and also another company for processing chemicals here in Kajiado,” he said.
The President spoke at Oloirien, Kajiado county during inspection of the Illasit-Taveta Road.
In July, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho ordered Tata Chemicals Magadi to suspend mining operations until it fully complies with Kenya's mining laws.
In a statement, Joho said the decision followed years of engagement between the State Department for Mining and Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited over the company's compliance with its statutory obligations.
The President's remarks come amid mounting political pressure over the government’s handling of the company, with opposition leaders launching a fresh attack on Ruto and accusing his administration of mishandling the matter.
Nyandarua senator John Methu on Thurday took on the President over the closure of Tata company demanding that he reconsiders the directive.
The senator argues that the directive is a punishment to the people of Magadi as many jobs are on the line.
“We demand immediate reversal of this suspension as closure of Tata Chemicals will result in unprecedented job losses. It is not yet forgotten to us that this regime has single-handedly jeopardized the livelihoods of over 500 direct employees and thousands of support workers, heartlessly rendering them jobless overnight through this closure,” Methu said.
The Nyandarua senator was addressing a press conference at Karen Nairobi.
But Ruto defended his administration, insisting that the government’s priority was to ensure that the country’s natural resources and strategic investments benefit Kenyans.
“They can’t just be taking our resources to India and other places,” Ruto said.
“They lied to us that they will build a factory, the only thing they gave to the people of Kajiado is water as if they own that water.”
Ruto at the same time assured the region that Amboseli Park will be reverted to the community adding that his efforts to give it back to the locals have been challenged in court.
“Amboseli will be reverted to the people of Kajiado, some people took me to court just like they took SHA but don’t you be worried. Amboseli will come back to the people,” he said.
He was accompanied by area Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, Woman representative Leah Sopiato and Kajiado South MP Samuel Parashina amongst others.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The President who is on a development tour of Kajiado county maintained his government would not allow the company to continue operating without delivering on the commitments it made, particularly on investment, expansion and employment opportunities for residents.
