Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticised President William Ruto’s approach of ordering companies accused of failing to deliver sufficient benefits to Kenya to “pack up and go”, warning that such remarks could undermine investor confidence and hurt job creation.
Sifuna argued that disputes between governments and companies are not unusual and should be addressed through established legal and dispute-resolution mechanisms rather than through public directives for businesses to leave the country.
The senator referenced President Ruto’s ‘mambo ni matatu’ philosophy, a catchphrase the Head of State has used when warning individuals and entities accused of wrongdoing that they have three options: go to jail, leave the country or go to heaven.
According to Sifuna, the approach could have far-reaching economic consequences by discouraging prospective investors who consider the predictability of dispute-resolution systems when deciding where to invest.
“When companies make decisions about where to put their investments, the dispute resolution regime in place is key because disputes arise all the time. The ‘mambo matatu, pack and go’ approach, where the President can just shut down your business, is very bad for investment and consequently job creation,” Sifuna stated.
The Nairobi Senator, who is part of the Linda Mwananchi political movement, said the alliance would seek to restore adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law if it forms the next government after the 2027 General Election.
“It is why we in Linda Mwananchi insist on a return to the rule of law. That’s our plan,” he stated.
Sifuna’s remarks came hours after President Ruto ordered Tata Chemicals Magadi to leave Kenya, accusing the company of failing to create sufficient jobs and establish industries despite holding a licence to mine soda ash at Lake Magadi for about a century.
Ruto said the government would seek to bring in another company to take over the operations, adding that the new investor would be required to establish a major glass manufacturing plant and another factory for chemical manufacturing.
“We have vast resources that can transform Kajiado County and our country, Kenya. That Tata Chemicals company has had a licence for 100 years but has not built anything in Kajiado or employed any people from Kajiado,” Ruto stated in Oloiren, Kajiado County, on Thursday, September 3.
“I told them to pack up their things and leave. Let them go. These people come here, take our resources and transport them to India and other countries.”
Tata Chemicals Magadi is owned by Tata Chemicals Limited, a subsidiary of India’s Tata Group.
The company produces soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate, as well as other salt and industrial mineral products from trona deposits at Lake Magadi.
