Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticised President William Ruto’s approach of directing companies accused of failing to adequately benefit Kenya to leave the country, warning that such statements could undermine investor confidence. Sifuna said disagreements between governments and businesses are inevitable but should be handled through established legal and dispute-resolution mechanisms rather than public directives ordering companies to shut down operations and leave.
Sifuna Questions ‘Mambo Ni Matatu’ Approach
The senator cited President Ruto’s “mambo ni matatu” phrase, which the President has used when warning people or organisations accused of wrongdoing that they face three options — jail, leaving the country or death. According to Sifuna, applying such an approach to businesses could negatively affect Kenya’s economy by making potential investors uncertain about the security of their investments.
He argued that investors consider the country’s dispute-resolution framework when deciding where to commit their capital, noting that business disagreements can arise at any time. Sifuna warned that the possibility of a company being ordered to leave by the President could discourage investment and ultimately affect job creation.
Linda Mwananchi Pledges Rule of Law
Sifuna, who is associated with the Linda Mwananchi political movement, said the alliance would prioritise adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law if it takes power after the 2027 General Election. He maintained that strengthening legal institutions and ensuring disputes are handled within the law would be central to the movement’s agenda.
Ruto Orders Tata Chemicals Magadi to Leave
Sifuna’s remarks came shortly after President Ruto directed Tata Chemicals Magadi to leave Kenya, accusing the company of failing to deliver sufficient economic benefits despite holding a licence to mine soda ash at Lake Magadi for nearly a century. Speaking in Oloiren, Kajiado County, on Thursday, September 3, Ruto said the government would look for another investor to take over the operations.
The President said the new investor would be expected to establish a major glass manufacturing plant as well as another facility for chemical production in Kajiado. Ruto argued that Kenya possesses resources capable of transforming Kajiado County and the wider country, but claimed Tata Chemicals had not done enough to create jobs or establish industries in the area. He accused the company of extracting resources and transporting them to India and other countries.
Tata Chemicals’ Operations in Kenya
Tata Chemicals Magadi is owned by Tata Chemicals Limited, which is part of India’s Tata Group. The company operates at Lake Magadi, where it extracts trona deposits used in the production of soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate.
It also produces other salt and industrial mineral products, making its operations an important part of Kenya’s minerals and industrial sector. The dispute has now sparked debate over how the government should balance the need to maximise local economic benefits from natural resources with the importance of maintaining investor confidence and predictable legal processes.
