President William Ruto has ordered a fresh intervention in Magadi, directing the restoration of water supplies and the continued running of the area’s hospital amid a dispute over a longstanding contract.
Ruto on Saturday, September 5, 2026, ordered Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa to travel to Magadi on Wednesday, September 9, and remain there until residents get back the water services they had been receiving.
“Wewe Waziri, Wednesday wewe ukuja hapa. Mimi nataka ukae hapo Magadi mpaka watu wa hapa wapate maji vile walikuwa wanapata maji,” Ruto said.
The President said residents should not be caught up in the disagreement over the contract, insisting that access to basic services must continue.
He rejected claims that the government had halted water supplies in Magadi, saying the service should remain available to the local community as the contract issue is addressed.
Ruto also issued instructions on healthcare, asking Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to ensure the hospital in Magadi remains open and continues treating residents.
He said the facility is owned by the community and should not be shut down, directing Lenku to provide the doctors needed for medical services to continue.
“Na nimemwambia Governor Lenku, hiyo hospitali nasikia iko pale, nasikia ati wale wanataka kufunga, hospitali ni mali ya wananchi. Wewe Lenku, tafuta madaktari, enda weka pale, mambo ya matibabu iendelee,” he directed.
The orders came as the President renewed his criticism of the existing Magadi contract, which he has described as exploitative and extractive.
Ruto said the government would not allow disagreements over the contract to affect services relied on by residents, warning against what he described as attempts to pressure the government by withholding water and healthcare.
“Mimi siwezi kukubali mambo ya blackmail. Ati wanajaribu kutublackmail na maji na hospitali? Mimi nataka niwaambie: Blackmail is unacceptable. Blackmail is injustice. Blackmail is unfairness, and blackmail leads to exploitation,” Ruto said.
He said the provision of water and medical care must continue despite the ongoing dispute over the contract.
The President has previously announced plans to advertise the Magadi contract afresh, allowing different companies to compete for it instead of leaving control of the resource with one company for decades.