Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has established a high-level technical committee to address outstanding compliance issues that led to the suspension of operations at Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited.
Joho said the decision followed a meeting with executives of the company on Tuesday, during which they discussed concerns raised by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
The committee will be jointly led by the Mining Principal Secretary on behalf of the Ministry and the chief executive officer of Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited representing the company.
According to Joho, the committee will conduct a detailed technical review of all unresolved compliance matters and prepare a report for submission to his office.
“The committee will undertake a detailed technical review of the outstanding and unresolved compliance matters, prepare and submit a report to my office for consideration and further direction,” Joho said.
The move comes after the government suspended operations at the Magadi-based mining company over compliance concerns.
During his development tour of Kajiado last week, President William Ruto announced that he had ordered the closure of the company, stating that it had failed to build local processing plants or provide adequate benefits to Kenyans.
Joho said the technical team would focus on five key areas, including mineral beneficiation and increasing in-country value addition.
The committee will also examine outstanding community benefits and royalty obligations, which have remained key concerns in the dispute between the government, the company and local communities.
Unresolved land matters will also be reviewed, alongside proposals to open up the area for multiple mineral extraction activities.
The fifth area of focus will be outstanding matters involving Tata Chemicals Magadi and the Kajiado County Government.
Joho said the government was keen to resolve the dispute through constructive engagement with the investor while ensuring that the company complies with Kenyan laws and regulations.
“As government, we remain committed to constructive engagement with investors while firmly upholding Kenya’s laws, regulations and the interests of its people,” he said.
The CS said the government’s objective was not merely to resolve the immediate compliance issues but to create a sustainable framework for responsible mining and greater benefits for local communities.
He said the process should promote value addition and community development while creating mutually beneficial partnerships between investors and the government.
“The objective is not only to resolve the outstanding compliance matters but also to establish a sustainable framework that promotes responsible mining, value addition, community development and mutually beneficial partnerships,” Joho said.
Tata Chemicals Magadi is a major producer of soda ash, a mineral used in the manufacture of glass, detergents and other industrial products.
The company’s operations in Magadi, Kajiado County, have historically been an important source of employment and economic activity in the area.
The formation of the committee is expected to provide a structured platform for the government and the company to examine the outstanding issues and agree on a way forward.
Joho said the committee would report directly to his office, paving the way for further government direction once the technical review is completed.
Ruto has increasingly stressed the need for mining companies to undertake greater local value addition, meet their royalty obligations and ensure host communities benefit from natural resources extracted from their areas.
