Kenyan President : A major crisis has arisen for Tata Chemicals, the flagship company of the Tata Group in the East African country of Kenya. In a public statement, Kenyan President William Ruto (William Ruto) has issued strict instructions to Tata Chemicals to immediately shut down its soda ash plant in the country and at Lake Magadi.

Are we slaves to others? : President Ruto

President Ruto alleges that, despite a 100-year lease and exploitation of natural resources in the Kajiado region, the company has not established a major manufacturing unit or glass factory locally and has only exported raw materials. “Are we slaves to others?” With such strong statements, the Kenyan government is now preparing to hand over the plant to two new companies, sparking a major controversy in Africa’s commodity and mining sectors.

Kenya targeting Tata Chemicals?

In late July, Tata Chemicals (Tata Chemicals)That said, the announcement comes just weeks after the Kenyan government ordered its Kenyan unit to shut down operations at the Magadi soda factory and stop exporting soda ash. Ruto criticized Tata Chemicals’ long-standing presence in Kajiado, saying the company had failed to build sufficient local industrial capacity.

That Tata company had a 100-year contract : Ruto

Ruto said, “That Tata company… had a 100-year contract. They didn’t build anything in Kajiado, they didn’t build a factory in Kajiado. We said we will bring a new company, and… they should set up a big glass company here in Kajiado. And another company that makes chemicals here in Kajiado. Are we slaves to others?”

What does Tata Chemicals do in Kenya?

Tata Chemicals operates the Magadi Soda business in Kenya, which produces soda ash. Soda ash is an industrial chemical used in glass and other manufacturing processes. Magadi’s operations have been the focus of recent controversy between the company and the Kenyan government. The Ministry of Mines had earlier suspended exports and operations of Magadi soda citing alleged royalty arrears and regulatory non-compliance.

Tata Chemicals has fully complied with all government regulations

The group says Tata Chemicals has fully complied with all government regulations. However, the decision casts doubt on the Magadi plant’s annual global export of more than 350,000 tonnes of soda ash and the hundreds of jobs it generates.