Tata Chemicals Magadi has been issued fresh demands by the Kajiado County Government following its operational suspension. The county is seeking billions in unpaid land rates alongside the return of land occupied by the company.
Kajiado Seeks Ksh13 Billion
Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has claimed that Ksh13 billion remains outstanding in land rates owed to the county government. The demand has been presented as a condition before the company can resume operations at Lake Magadi.
The governor described the long-running land arrangement surrounding the company as a historical injustice. Concerns over land ownership, payments and community benefits have also been raised by the county.
According to Lenku, Tata Chemicals has allegedly failed to pay land rates owed to Kajiado. The company was described as an exceptional case because of its alleged failure to meet the county obligation.
Land Return Demanded
The county government has also called for portions of land occupied by Tata Chemicals to be returned. The land has reportedly been identified as important grazing territory for communities living around Magadi.
Lenku claimed that more than 200,000 acres are occupied by the company across the area. However, only approximately 11,000 acres were said to be directly required for salt production activities.
The difference has been cited as justification for returning unused portions to local residents. The affected land could subsequently be utilised as grazing grounds by communities in the area.
Community Benefits Sought
Calls have also been made for improved benefits to communities hosting mining operations in Kajiado. Fairer arrangements covering community benefits and revenue sharing have been demanded by the county government.
The demands have emerged amid wider concerns surrounding the company's operations at Lake Magadi. Questions over royalties, land ownership and local economic benefits have been placed under renewed scrutiny.
The national government has already established a technical committee to examine outstanding issues surrounding Tata Chemicals. Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho announced the committee after operations at Lake Magadi were suspended.
Committee Examines Dispute
The committee has been tasked with reviewing several compliance matters before operations can potentially resume. Mineral beneficiation and greater value addition within Kenya have been included among the issues under examination.
Outstanding community benefits and royalty obligations have also been listed for consideration by the committee. Unresolved land questions form another major part of the issues requiring attention.
The committee's findings are expected to inform decisions concerning the future of Tata Chemicals' operations. The suspension will remain linked to the resolution of the outstanding compliance concerns raised by authorities.
Ruto Ordered Suspension
President William Ruto previously directed that operations by Tata Chemicals at Magadi be stopped. The decision followed concerns that decades of mining had not sufficiently improved living conditions among local residents.
The President has also indicated that Magadi could eventually be opened to competitive investors. Future operators are expected to establish processing facilities locally instead of exporting raw minerals.
The latest county demands have therefore added land rates and community land to the ongoing dispute. Any return to operations is now expected to involve several outstanding issues requiring resolution.
The fate of Tata Chemicals remains subject to the outcome of the technical review. Further discussions are expected to determine how land, royalties and local benefits will be addressed.
