Political tensions in Trans Nzoia County escalated after heavy security forces, armed with water cannons, were deployed to bar Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya from accessing the newly commissioned Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale.
The standoff follows President William Ruto’s recent visit to open the facility, triggering a conflict over who holds the constitutional authority and political credit for county-level infrastructure.
In a official statement released on Monday, October 19, 2026, the Linda Mwananchi movement condemned the national government’s actions, calling the deployment of state force an illegal attempt to hijack devolved functions.
“Ruto’s determination to attach himself to the market not only exposes his evident lack of national government projects to launch across the country but also raises concerns that he is seeking another avenue to be a supplier-contractor-seller of another big project,” declared Pauline Njoroge, Head of Communication for The National Secretariat of Linda Mwananchi.
Natembeya vs Ruto: Linda Mwananchi Audit on Ksh 874M Kitale Market
In a detailed press release, the Linda Mwananchi movement outlined the financial trail and history behind the construction of the Kitale market.
The Masinde Muliro Market was originally commissioned by the County Government of Trans Nzoia during the 2017/18 financial year, carrying an initial budget of Ksh 874,280,383.
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However, the project later came under intense scrutiny when the Office of the Auditor General flagged several irregularities in its FY 2023/24 report, citing completion delays, seven contract extensions that escalated costs, unsubmitted land ownership documents, and the contractor’s absence during physical inspections.
When Governor George Natembeya took office, he inherited these unresolved audit queries from the previous administration.
To protect public funds, the Senate County Public Investments Committee (CPIC) directed Natembeya to address the audit findings and finish the project.
Following a subsequent inspection tour, the CPIC praised Natembeya’s administration for successfully resolving all audit concerns and bringing the market project to completion.
Under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the function of constructing and managing local markets rests strictly with devolved county governments.
Linda Mwananchi argues that the national government’s intervention violates these constitutional boundaries and seeks to undermine county autonomy.
“The fight by H.E. Governor George Natembeya over the market represents a consistent push by devolution warriors and believers in the sanctity of the Constitution to block the forces of regression,” the statement added. “The Masinde Muliro Market must serve the people for whom it was built, with full respect for devolution, the Constitution and the rule of law.”
