Tata Chemicals. Picture sourced from X.
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A day after it was reportedly asked to exit its Kenya operations, Tata Chemicals on Friday said its subsidiary Tata Chemicals Magadi is fully compliant and the company is awaiting government’s review and further directions.
The Tata Group firm said it has played an important part in the East African nation’s economy and is committed to resolving outstanding issues, according to a regulatory filing to the exchanges.
“We wish to reiterate, that on August 11, 2026, Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited (TCML) submitted all the required information, reports and documentation and TCML is fully compliant with the regulatory requirements,” it said.
“TCML having provided a comprehensive response to the matters raised by the Ministry, including information regarding its compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, awaits the Ministry’s review of our submissions and its further direction,” Tata Chemicals added.
Tata Chemicals has a presence through its subsidiary Tata Chemicals Magadi in Kenya, which is Africa’s largest soda ash manufacturer.
Company keen to resolve the matter with the government
The company further said, “Since 2005, when Tata Chemicals Limited acquired the Magadi plant, it has played an important role in the Kenyan economy and continues to be an integral part of our business. We respect the authority of the Government of Kenya and remain committed to constructive engagement through the appropriate legal and regulatory channels to resolve the outstanding matters.”
Tata Chemicals said the well-being of its employees, the Magadi community, the stakeholders in Kenya and continued economic development of Kenya remained its priority.
Kenya President asks the company to go
The company’s statement comes after Kenya President William Ruto reportedly on Thursday ordered Tata Group firm Tata Chemicals to stop its operations in the country, saying there has been no benefit to their citizens, according to news agency PTI.
According to multiple news reports, Ruto has questioned whether the country is slave to others and has asked the company to “pack and go”.
This President’s statements came after the company was asked to suspend its operations in Kenya and halt exports of soda ash in July.
“With reference to the captioned subject, we would like to inform you that Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited (TCML), the Kenyan subsidiary of Tata Chemicals Limited, has received a Notice from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Kenya on July 28, 2026, directing the Company to suspend its mining operations until the compliance review and submission of evidence of compliance with all statutory documentation,” the company had earlier said.
“Further, the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs State Department for Mining, at Mombasa has directed the suspension of exports of Soda Ash by TCML,” the July statement had said.
Tata Chemicals has operations across four continents, with 17 manufacturing facilities and three R&D centres.
The shares of Tata Chemicals were trading at Rs 627 apiece, down 2.33 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
(With inputs from PTI)
