President William Ruto has announced plans to break up the large land holdings linked to mining activities in Kajiado, saying companies will no longer be allowed to control huge stretches of land at the expense of local residents.
Ruto said investors operating in the resource-rich county would be restricted to a smaller portion of the land, with up to 70 per cent set aside for the people of Kajiado to pursue other economic activities.
Speaking in Kajiado on Saturday, September 5, 2026, the President said companies would only be allowed to occupy between 20 and 30 per cent of the land involved in resource exploitation.
“We are going to make sure that no company will occupy 240,000 acres of Kajiado land. They are going to occupy maybe 20, maybe a maximum of 30 per cent. Seventy per cent of that land will come back to the people of Kajiado County so that we can use other resources and we can use it for other purposes,” Ruto said.
The President said the plan was intended to give residents greater access to land and ensure they benefit from the natural resources found within the county.
He said companies would still be allowed to invest and exploit available resources, but their operations would be limited to a section of the land rather than taking control of large areas.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of changes being pursued by the government in the mining sector, particularly around Magadi, where Tata Chemicals has operated for years.
Ruto has already announced plans to seek new investors for the Magadi mining rights through a fresh tender. He said the process would allow more than one company to participate instead of giving a single firm control over the resource.
The government’s decision to end Tata Chemicals’ contract has brought renewed focus on the company’s operations and the amount of land associated with its activities.
The company has been linked to a lease covering about 224,000 acres, while Kajiado County has also raised claims over land rates and royalties connected to the operations.
Ruto said the government’s approach would ensure that mining does not prevent local communities from using their land for other purposes.
He has also pushed for more processing of minerals and other natural resources within the country, arguing that Kenya should reduce the export of raw materials and instead create industries that generate jobs and retain more value locally.
The President’s latest position would see mining companies operate on a smaller portion of the land while residents regain access to a larger area for other economic activities and development projects.
Ruto maintained that Kajiado’s resources should contribute to the county’s economic growth while creating opportunities for residents through investment, manufacturing and job creation.