Senator Cheruiyot defends Ruto over Tata Chemicals closure

The Head of State, on September 4, ordered the company to pack up and leave Kenya, saying that its century-old soda ash extraction contract was exploitative and failed to benefit the local community.

This statement has since attracted criticism from members of the opposition, who have accused Ruto of waging war against foreign companies. 

Now, Members of Parliament allied to the Head of State have dismissed criticism from the opposition, which maintained that the President is driving away foreign investors. 

Speaking at St. Michael’s Mogoget in Nandi County, Cheruiyot accused the opposition of deliberately misinterpreting the President’s sentiments. 

"Many people have chosen to misinterpret it and see it as if the President is not welcoming to investors. I wish to clarify for those who are doubting that, as a country, we welcome investors who want to come and partner with us in making sure that we carry out development in our country. The only thing that we are saying is that investing and exploitation are two different things. What we are saying no to is exploitation," said Cheruiyot.

The Kericho Senator said the President’s position was aimed at protecting Kenyan communities from exploitation and ensuring that local resources benefit the people. 

"This is a different Africa, where we are looking for partners and friends, not people who want to come and exploit our resources. We are a responsible administration that must make sure that we protect our national resources for the sake of our future generations," he said. 

The legislators maintained that the government is not opposed to foreign investment, but wants investors to operate within the law and in a manner that safeguards the interests of local communities. 

They accused the opposition of politicising the matter by portraying President Ruto’s remarks as an attempt to chase away investors from the country. 

The Kenya Kwanza leaders said the President has remained committed to attracting investment while ensuring that Kenyans are given priority in the utilisation of the country’s resources. 

They called on the opposition to support government efforts to protect communities from exploitation instead of using the issue to create unnecessary political divisions.