The dispute between Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd and the County Government of Kajiado has taken a fresh turn, with Senator Seki Lenku calling for a special inquiry into the company’s alleged KSh 10 billion debt in unpaid land rates.
Speaking during a Senate review of the Auditor General’s 2023/2024 report, Lenku criticized the county’s failure to collect its full revenue potential, pointing to Tata’s arrears as a symbol of entrenched impunity.
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“Tata Magadi Soda Company owes Kajiado KSh 10 billion in unpaid land rates, and our county has never received royalties from this extractive industry,” Lenku said. “I pushed for a special inquiry into this matter because our people deserve answers and justice.”
The senator’s remarks reignite a years-long standoff between the multinational soda ash producer and county authorities, who have previously clashed with Tata over licensing, lease renewals, and alleged environmental violations.
In early 2024, county officials briefly shut down Tata’s Magadi depot, citing non-compliance and unpaid dues.
Lenku’s intervention adds pressure on both the county and national governments to enforce accountability and protect local interests in resource-rich zones.
The Tata case, he argued, reflects a broader failure to secure equitable returns from extractive industries operating in devolved regions.
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With Kajiado collecting just KSh 1 billion against a projected KSh 6 billion in annual revenue, the senator warned that continued inaction would deepen fiscal gaps and erode public trust.
“Oversight is not just about numbers it’s about fighting for the rightful share of resources for the people of Kajiado,” Lenku stated.
By Masaki Enock
