Joho: Tata Chemicals failed to comply with gov’t directive on mining

Speaking on Citizen TV, Joho said an initial notice on compliance was given to Tata in July, and instead of responding, the company went to court seeking immunity, a request that was declined. 

The Cabinet Secretary responded following President William Ruto’s decree to close the company’s mining operations in Kajiado County. 

“Suspension of Tata Chemicals was done in July this year. The initial notice came out in July, and instead of responding to the queries we sent regarding beneficiation, compliance and following the law, they went to court to request to be allowed to continue,” Joho said. 

According to Joho, Tata was ordered to comply with the 2016 law on mining operations in Kenya. 

“Our minerals are our wealth, and they are supposed to build our economy, industrialize our country, and benefit our local communities,” Joho said.

According to Joho, the county government has strongly opposed the licensing of Tata because they have never had an engagement or contributed in any way to the county. 

He accused Tata of failing to return proceeds from its mining business to the local communities as required. 

“According to the 2016 mining law, to start mining in any area, you must build a committee with the affected community, and this committee must get a minimum of 1% of gross income of the company in cash, and the committee is supposed to negotiate with the investor, which Tata has not done since 1928,” he added.

The CS claims Tata only allowed community members to use its hospital at a small fee and use their water source.

“Lake Magadi is 100 sqkms and produces Trona that regenerates. The operation over the period has been done around 2sqkm. Why should we not encourage multiple operators and optimize on full beneficiation?” posed the CS.

Last week, President William Ruto ordered Tata company to leave the country. 

President Ruto claimed that the company had not brought any development or created employment in Kajiado despite having a contract of 100 years. 

He said that the contract will now be given to a different company under strict conditions.