China’s Hand in Tata Chemicals’ Kenyan Exit? Ex‑Deputy President Fires Off Explosive Claim

During a pointed interview with CNN‑News18, former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua let rip, suggesting that the abrupt suspension of Tata Chemicals’ Magadi operations is less about “resource nationalism” and more about clearing a path for Chinese investors eyeing the country’s lithium and oil prospects.

Gachagua, who heads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), painted a grim picture of life in Kajiado County after the shutdown. “For almost a hundred years Tata Chemicals has been the heartbeat of this area – they run the water supply, the schools, the hospital, even the local bank,” he said, his voice tinged with frustration. “Now more than 100,000 people are without water, without health care, without education. It’s a disaster.”

He didn’t stop at the humanitarian impact. The former deputy president took aim at the constitutional process, arguing that the president’s office ignored the required public participation clause. “The constitution is clear – any decision that affects people must involve them. The president never asked the community if they were okay with this,” Gachagua asserted.

When pressed about the government’s stated motive – protecting Kenya’s mineral wealth – Gachagua was skeptical. He pointed to the Mining Minister, Ali Hassan Joho, and President William Ruto, suggesting they are more interested in the lithium deposits that lie beneath the soda ash plant. “They want to kick out Tata Chemicals so they can grab the minerals underneath,” he claimed.

And the foreign angle? Gachagua hinted that China is a major player in the background. “To a great extent, yes. President Ruto has business ties with Chinese investors. It looks like they want to bring their partners into this area,” he said, adding that there were unverified rumours about Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote possibly teaming up with Ruto as well.

He concluded with a warning to Tata Chemicals: “The company should go to court, seek conservatory orders and keep serving the people while the legal battle is fought.” Meanwhile, his DCP will help local residents mount a judicial review, aiming to overturn what they call an arbitrary, constitution‑breaching decision.