The High Court has scheduled a hearing on November 18, 2026, to consider a petition opposing the resumption of mining activities at Lake Magadi.
The petition was filed by Francis Awino on behalf of the local communities in Magadi, Kajiado County. It challenges any move to restart operations by Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited until questions around legal compliance and transparency are resolved.
This legal action follows a government suspension of the company’s mining activities announced on July 29, 2026, due to unresolved issues including mineral beneficiation, royalty payments, export reporting, community development agreements, local employment, procurement, and environmental compliance.
Awino’s petition calls for a transparent process before any resumption, seeking disclosure of compliance information and raising concerns on public participation, access to information, fair administrative action, and environmental rights.
While Awino requested an urgent hearing during the ongoing court vacation, Justice Christine Meoli declined to certify urgency or grant interim orders, instead directing that the petition be served on respondents for further directions in November.
The respondents named include the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, the Director General of the State Department for Mining, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the County Government of Kajiado, the Attorney-General, and Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited. The National Land Commission and the Magadi Community Development Agreement Committee are listed as interested parties.
