Ruto Orders Indian Firm Out of Kenya Over Alleged Lack of Local Investment

Kenyan President, William Ruto, has ordered Indian multinational company, Tata Chemicals, to leave the country, accusing the firm of failing to deliver sufficient economic benefits to the local community from its soda ash operations.

Ruto gave the directive at a public rally, ordering the company to “pack and leave” and paving the way for a new investor to take over the exploitation of soda ash resources at Lake Magadi in Kajiado County.

Tata Chemicals produces soda ash, a key industrial mineral used in the manufacture of glass, soaps and detergents.

Kenyan government data showed that the country exported 254,779 tonnes of soda ash valued at $56.9m in the year ending July 2025.

However, Ruto criticised Tata Chemicals’ operations, alleging that the company had failed to make adequate investments or create sufficient employment opportunities in Kajiado.

“They have not built anything in Kajiado,” the President said, arguing that Kenya’s natural resources should generate greater economic value for local communities and the wider economy.

He further accused the company of extracting and exporting the country’s mineral resources without creating enough local value.

“They have been taking our resources and shipping them to India. We will bring a new company and the condition set is they must build a glass factory here,” Ruto said.

Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited has operated in Kenya since 2005. Its operations were suspended by the Ministry of Mining in July pending a compliance review.

The company, however, rejected suggestions that it had breached Kenyan requirements, informing the National Stock Exchange of India that it remained fully compliant with the country’s regulations.

Tata Chemicals said it was awaiting further communication from the Kenyan government regarding the review of its operations.

Ruto’s directive could have implications for employment and government revenue from Kenya’s soda ash industry, even as his administration seeks to attract investors willing to undertake greater local processing and manufacturing.

The development comes amid Ruto’s broader push for foreign investors to create jobs, expand local production and deliver greater economic benefits to Kenyan communities.