Medical services at Magadi Hospital remain uninterrupted despite the ongoing standoff between the Government and Tata Chemicals Magadi, which has now drawn in President William Ruto after he directed the Kajiado County Government to take over the management of the facility.
The directive has, however, triggered anxiety among residents who depend on the Level Four hospital for specialised healthcare, with hundreds of residents from Shompole, Olkiramatian and Olkeri Oldonyonyokie group ranches relying on the facility for maternity, surgical, outpatient and inpatient services.
President William Ruto, during his Kajiado development tour on Saturday, directed the County Government to take over the day-to-day operations and management of the hospital, a day before ordering the investor to leave Kenya.
"The hospital belongs to the people. Let the county government take over the hospital management to enable residents continue access the medical services," ordered Dr Ruto.
President Ruto had accused Tata Chemicals of failing to put up a glass and chemical factory locally and instead shipping out raw materials outside the country despite 100 years of existence.
He said the soda ash mineral extraction rights would be advertised through a competitive bidding process and that no single company would be allowed to occupy more than 30 acres, contrary to the 240,000 acres said to be occupied by Tata Chemicals under a lease agreement.
However, the planned abrupt takeover has raised concerns among residents, who fear that the transition could disrupt services at the facility.
A Nation spot check on Monday indicated a high number of patients, especially in the maternity section, contrary to two weeks ago when the number of patients had declined following the closure of the company, which affected circulation of liquid cash in the area.
The 54-bed hospital was built, equipped and is operated by Tata Chemicals Magadi.
It provides healthcare to the local community at subsidized rates, with all its doctors, clinicians, nurses and pharmacists employed by the multimillion-shilling trona miner.
Ms Purity Naisiae told the Nation she had been brought to the hospital the previous night after suffering from child labour at home. She gave birth to a baby boy through a Caesarean section.
"The hospital is our lifeline. It has maintained its standard for years compared to few public facilities that are few and far apart," said Naisiae jovially.
Her mother, Esther Nganoni, who sat beside her hospital bed, said the facility had reduced infant mortality in the rural areas.
"We traverse the terrains infested by wild animals in nights with a hope we will get medical care in this hospital. The other alternatives are Kajiado Referral Hospital and Oltepesi health center miles away," We plead with the county government to let the hospital continue running under the current management despite the company standoff with the government."
Ruto: I told Tata Chemicals to go, all their money was going to India
Most residents said the hospital was their main source of specialized medical care, particularly for maternity, surgical and inpatient services.
"We might not be satisfied with what the community get from the company under cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) and support President Ruto but on health services they have made strides for the poor locals," Nkanoi Matipei
Their concerns are exacerbated by the ongoing strike by public hospital medics, which has already disrupted access to healthcare services in various counties across the country.
A spot check at Kajiado Referral Hospital, the nearest alternative for Magadi residents, located more than 100 kilometres away, revealed limited activity and few patients.
Only three patients were observed in the ward, with access to medical services severely constrained.
Magadi Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Raymond Birya said the hospital has recorded at least 21 deliveries monthly. Despite most mothers being illiterate, they are said to be following their children's vaccination calendar to the letter.
"The biggest total number of deliveries is teen mothers. The facility is operating for 24 yours contrary to the romours. We have enough drugs that can last us at least three months. The doors remain open for our patients," said Dr Birya, saying the number of patients has increased in the last two weeks.
Along the Magadi-Kiserian road, the number of women and children waiting for water supplies has reduced following intervention by well-wishers to supplement Tata Chemicals' water tanker supply.
"We are still grappling with water shortage but well-wishers and General Service Unit (GSU) tankers nowadays are supplementing the Tata chemicals tankers has eased the burden," said Sarah Nasieku.
Tata Chemicals Head of Community Affairs Wilson Tima had told the Nation in an earlier interview that the company might be forced to downsize on CSR projects in case the stalemate continued, with financial implications, but insisted the company had not stopped critical services, especially health, water and bursary programmes.
Tata Chemicals Company Magadi factory on June 14, 2025.
Photo credit: Stanley Ngotho | Nation Media Group
The Ministry of Mining ordered Tata Chemicals Magadi to shut down its operations on July 29 over alleged non-compliance issues.
The announcement, which the President has weighed in on several times in the past few days, has attracted global attention.
Tata Chemicals, formerly Magadi Soda, is among the country's largest mining employers and the largest producer of soda ash in Africa and one of Kenya’s largest single exporters. It contributes approximately six per cent of Kenya’s exports and generates nearly USD100 million in foreign exchange earnings annually.
The company has previously been engaged in a protracted court battle with the County Government of Kajiado over land rates and mineral royalties running into billions. Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has also been pushing the company to relinquish part of the vast land in its possession. Last year, the Court of Appeal ruled that mineral royalties belong to the national government under the Constitution and Mining Act.
