Residents of Kajiado West walk kilometres in search of water/SCREENGRABResidents of Kajiado West are facing a worsening water crisis following the suspension of Tata Chemicals Magadi’s mining operations.
The resident said they are forced to travel up to 45 kilometres in search of the precious commodity.
They said the closure has disrupted a water supply arrangement that, despite its limitations, had helped ease shortages in the arid region, leaving families to trek for hours with donkeys in search of water.
One resident said the community previously benefited from water transported by train, which helped reduce the burden on households that depend on long journeys to access the commodity.
“They used to bring us water by train; we were lucky then. But we are now suffering. We start our journeys at 3am in the morning with our donkeys; sometimes we encounter elephants, and we return without water,” the resident said.
The resident said families had no alternative means of transport, forcing them to spend much of the day searching for water while leaving young children at home without adequate supervision.
“We do not have the option of cars or trains. We are away for many hours, leaving small children alone,” the resident added.
The scarcity has also pushed up the cost of water, with a 20-litre jerrican selling for Sh100, a price residents say is difficult to sustain for households that must also provide water for their livestock.
“Water is like gold, because a 20-litre jerrican is sold for Sh100, and it is what you also want to give livestock as well,” the resident said.
Another resident said the crisis was affecting children's education, with some pupils missing classes because their families cannot secure enough water for their daily needs.
“There is a school nearby, and the children sometimes miss lessons because of the water problem. Children will not go for classes if they have not taken something in the morning,” the resident said.
The resident added that travelling to Kajiado town in search of water was not a practical option because of the distance and the cost involved.
Although the water previously supplied through Tata Chemicals was insufficient to meet the community's needs, residents said it played an important role in alleviating the shortage.
“Right now you can use a motorcycle to get water, which is very expensive, or by luck if there is a vehicle coming this way,” the resident said.
The crisis comes after the government suspended Tata Chemicals Magadi's mining operations over alleged regulatory non-compliance.
Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho said the suspension followed the company's failure to meet statutory obligations under the Mining Act, Cap. 306, and related regulations.
The outstanding issues include the absence of a clear mineral beneficiation and value-addition strategy, unresolved royalty reconciliation and payment obligations, and inadequate export reporting and reconciliation.
Tata Chemicals Magadi is challenging the suspension, which was issued on July 28–29, 2026, through legal and administrative channels.
The company has argued that the decision lacked adequate notice, fair administrative procedures and clear timelines or criteria for compliance.
The company's leadership has said it is awaiting the outcome of a high-level technical committee established to review the dispute, while maintaining that it holds a valid 30-year lease on the mine.
