The New Indian Express ·
Kenya sets up joint panel with Tata Chemicals to resolve Magadi dispute
In a shift from Kenya’s recent hardline stance against Tata Chemicals, the country’s Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs has agreed to set up a high-level technical committee with Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd (TCML) to resolve outstanding compliance issues and determine the way forward for its suspended operations at Lake Magadi.
The development comes just days after Kenyan President William Ruto directed Tata Chemicals to cease operations in the country and said a new investor would be brought in to develop the soda ash resources at Lake Magadi.
Kenya’s Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho said the decision to form the committee followed a meeting with Tata Chemicals Magadi executives on Tuesday. The panel will be jointly led by the Principal Secretary for Mining, Harry Kimtai, on behalf of the government and TCML chief executive officer Swaminathan Nagarajan on behalf of the company.