Editor's Review

 Kalonzo has offered an alternative that would keep Tata Chemicals operational in the country until 2053.

Wiper Party Patriotic Front Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has offered an alternative that would keep Tata Chemicals operational in the country despite President William Ruto ordering its closure.

Speaking on Friday, September 4, Kalonzo opined that the firm should offset part of the dues it owes the Kajiado County government.

He added that the firm should also consider surrendering part of the 240,000-acre land it owns to the locals, and focus on lowering its operational costs.

"They should consider ceding at least 40,000 acres to the Maasai Community, and pay the Ksh17.4 billion they owe to the Kajiado County Government. Thereafter, they will have a valid lease up to 2053," the former Vice President stated.

Kalonzo slammed Ruto for ordering the company's closure during a political rally, without following due process. He described the order as a roadside declaration, and warned that such moves eroded investor confidence in the country.

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A file photo of Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

"The era of roadside declarations ended a long time ago. If you are serious about investor confidence, you cannot just order the closure of a company without public participation or consultations," he stated.

Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana Defended Ruto, stating that Kenya needs to benefit from companies which mine minerals locally. He added that the soda ash mined from Kajiado has benefited other countries, who add value to addition to it and sell the finished product to Kenyans.

Mukhwana maintained that Kenya's industrialisation will only happen when the country connects its natural resources to factories, skills, technology, infrastructure, investment and markets.

Earlier, the Head of State explained that he ordered the company to close its doors because it had held the license to mine soda ash in Lake Magadi for a hundred years without making sufficient investments in the country or creating enough employment opportunities for locals.

However, according to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), the order was allegedly put in place because President Ruto had personal interests in Kenya's natural resources.

The DCP Leaders sensationally claimed that there were deposits worth trillions of shillings in Magadi, which were up for grabs if the firm is successfully evicted from the land.