Kenya ranks as the world’s fourth‑largest producer of natural soda ash (sodium carbonate), representing roughly 1% of global output, per the US Geological Survey.
The mineral is extracted mainly from natural brines or trona and is used in glass manufacturing, chemicals, batteries, and various industrial sectors.
Tata Chemicals ranks among Kenya’s leading mineral exporters and is Africa’s largest producer of soda ash.
The firm extracts trona from Lake Magadi, converts it into soda ash, a vital component for glassmaking and also employed in detergents, chemicals, water treatment, textiles, and paper, according to its website.
Its 2024 financials show approximately 245,000 tonnes of soda‑ash sales and $78.7 million in revenue.
The company employs roughly 500 staff and reports that its community initiatives support about 30,000 people in the Magadi region through water, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and related services.
President Ruto contended that the company was insufficiently contributing to Kenya and accused it of exporting the nation’s resources.
‘Tata Chemicals Magadi has held a century‑long contract and has contributed little. I told them recently to vacate,’ he said in Swahili.
‘They have built nothing in Kajiado, no factory has been constructed there,’ he added.