The Tata Chemicals Magadi operation is in a remote location in the Rift Valley, about 120 km south of Nairobi, in an area with harsh climatic conditions. The annual rainfall is just enough to support scanty vegetation of hardy acacia trees and pasture for the roaming herds of livestock.

Magadi is sparsely populated except for the agricultural zones of Nkurumani escarpment. The predominant ethnic group is the Maasai, whose economic mainstay is livestock rearing. This has often posed numerous challenges, particularly during periods of drought.

In order to spur entrepreneurship amongst the local community, the company policy requires that 40% of the market stalls shall be allocated for the local community, 20% for employees and 40% for others.

The company's social responsibility approach is to work with local community leaders and NGOs to provide vital inputs and support in critical areas. For instance, the company-supported Magadi Hospital is the only hospital in an area of 80 km radius and has a wide catchment area with a population of about 30,000 people. The company provides subsidised health care to the community and supports other health centres in the area.

Tata Chemicals Magadi  is involved in several areas of community welfare and development:

• Health services
• Magadi Hospital
• Support to medical centers
• HIV/Aids policy for employees and community
• Water for domestic use (through pipeline, bowser and rail)
• Education
• Building four schools
• Support for all local schools
• Community information centers
• IT training
• Financial support for students through bursaries
• Business and employment opportunities
• Support for micro-businesses, women's groups, etc
• Skills training
• Local infrastructure
• Maintenance of roads and railway lines
• Passenger transport
• Security support
• Development of ecotourism

Healthcare is a key area of corporate social responsibility, and Tata Chemicals Magadi has dedicated significant resources to upgrade and equip the Magadi Hospital.

The company not only accommodates locals but also subsidises medical aid. Currently, the local community comprises 60% outpatient and 95% in-patient attendance. In 2001 alone, the company absorbed over KSh18 million (over $200,000) in subsidies for community health care. Even at subsidised rates, most patients are still too poor to afford services.

The spread of HIV/AIDS has put the hospital under increased pressure. To meet the rising medical needs of the community, Magadi Hospital works with other partners, especially on preventive measures. One of the partners is the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) supported clinic at Nkurumani, which has received financial and material support from Tata Chemicals Magadi. The clinic works hand in hand with Magadi Hospital and refers complicated cases to it. When the clinic runs short of supplies, the company shares those available at the hospital. It also assists the local health centers by transporting drugs and medicine from Kajiado Hospital by rail.

Tata Chemicals Magadi is part of the Maasai Integrated Development Partnership Project (MIDPP), an umbrella body bringing together a number of stakeholders - NGOs, the Kenyan government and the local community.

MIDPP's main aim is to pool resources and hasten social development in the Magadi division. The partnership approach prevents duplication as each partner has projects within their specialised area. This ensures that funds and other inputs are used wisely to maximise the gains to the local community.

The company has worked closely with Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), Dupoto E Maa, AMREF, African Conservation Centre (ACC), World Corps and HEART.

In support of NGOs, the company has provided office space to ITDG and the Magadi Division Development Programme (MADDEP) to help reduce operating costs.