Ruto-Natembeya feud evokes Uhuru-Joho political spat

President William Ruto and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya./HandoutThe ongoing political feud between President William Ruto and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has revived memories of a similar confrontation between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and then Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho (now Mining Cabinet Secretary) during the 2016–2017 election cycle.

The latest clash between Ruto and Natembeya, which has simmered intermittently for months, reached a new peak on Monday when the governor removed a plaque bearing the President’s name at Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale.

Natembeya said the market had been constructed by the Trans Nzoia County Government, arguing that the county deserved recognition for completing the project and organising traders to occupy the facility.

“I have built and completed the market. I have assembled all the business people and put them in the market. He came and removed them and put others that I don’t know where he got them from,” Natembeya said.

The governor warned that he was prepared to face the consequences of his position on the market, insisting that local traders would occupy the facility.

“My people, let me tell you. Maybe my last day will be on Monday. I will face-off with the National Government. Let them come with guns, let them come with bombs…however, I will put the residents of Trans Nzoia in that market,” he said.

Natembeya had also challenged Ruto to officially open the market, saying he would subsequently replace the plaque bearing the President’s name with his own.

“Come and open it. After all, I have built it for you. However, when you leave, I will remove the plate bearing your name and replace it with mine,” he said.

He was emphatic about the county government’s contribution to the project, declaring: “Hakuna hata ndururu ya Ruto hapo” (There is not even a single cent from Ruto there).

Ruto, who has defended his administration’s development programme in Trans Nzoia, described Natembeya as “stubborn” and maintained that his plans for the county would continue.

“Nobody will stop me from developing Trans Nzoia. We will construct roads and hospitals,” the President said.

He also emphasised the importance of improving healthcare services, saying: “It is a shame for any leader to sabotage efforts to improve hospitals when citizens need better healthcare.”

“Badala ya kupanga mambo ya wagonjwa una-sabotage,” he added, meaning that instead of planning for the sick, the governor was frustrating development efforts.

Ruto also commented on Natembeya’s “Tawe” political movement, saying the opposition should focus on presenting its agenda rather than engaging in political exchanges.

He dismissed what he described as the “nonsense of ‘tawe tawe’” and said the opposition was concentrating on insults and hatred instead of offering an alternative agenda.

The political disagreement has coincided with Natembeya’s concerns over the withdrawal of his security detail.

In a statement issued on October 15, the governor said the withdrawal had occurred for the second time, raising questions about whether the authorities had followed the constitutional and legal procedures governing changes to the security assigned to public officials.

“I therefore call upon the Inspector-General of the National Police Service to provide a formal explanation of the reasons for this decision and to clarify whether the applicable security procedures have been followed,” he said.

On Monday, the Linda Mwananchi Movement, with which Natembeya is allied, issued a statement supporting the governor.

The movement’s head of communication, Pauline Njoroge, said the dispute reflected broader questions about the Constitution and the responsibilities of national and county governments.

She said the market dispute highlighted the importance of protecting devolution and respecting functions constitutionally assigned to counties.

Njoroge also emphasised the market’s historical and political significance, noting that it was named after the late Masinde Muliro, a liberation icon and an early advocate of devolution.

“For the local communities in Trans Nzoia County, therefore, it is not merely a trading venue, but also a monument in commemoration of freedom, liberty and the indomitable spirit of devolution, as espoused by the late Muliro,” she said.

The Ruto-Natembeya dispute has drawn comparisons with the bitter exchanges between Uhuru and Joho in 2017, when disagreements over development projects in Mombasa became a prominent feature of the election campaign.

The feud gained national attention in January 2017 during the launch of the World Bank-funded Buxton footbridge in Mombasa.

Joho challenged the President over the recognition given to development projects, arguing that the Jubilee administration should distinguish its own investments from donor-funded initiatives.

“What we want to hear being announced is that the Jubilee government will leave behind a few billions for several projects… We want to see projects funded by the Jubilee administration, not donor-funded projects that were negotiated way back,” Joho said.

The exchanges intensified in March 2017 after Joho was prevented by heavily armed security personnel from attending the relaunch of the Mtongwe Ferry.

At a Jubilee rally at Tononoka Grounds, Uhuru addressed Joho’s self-proclaimed title of “Sultan of Mombasa”, saying leaders should focus on serving the public.

“Kama wafikiria lengo lako ni kujigamba ati umeweza kusimama mbele ya Rais ati umeweza kumtukana, mimi nikasema hiyo siwezi kubali… Ati yeye ni Sultan? Sultan alitoka kitambo. Sisi tunataka kiongozi anayefanyia wananchi kazi,” Uhuru said.

Translated, he said that if Joho’s intention was to boast about standing before and insulting the President, he would not accept it. He added that the era of sultans had passed and that the region needed a leader who worked for the people.

Uhuru also issued a direct warning, saying: “Mwambieni asicheze na sisi… mimi nitamnyorora” (Tell him not to play with us… I will straighten him out).

Joho responded by describing Uhuru as a visitor whose trips to the Coast would not determine the region’s political choices.

“Coast people should look at Uhuru Kenyatta as a tourist because his visits will not sway our people,” he said.

He also maintained that he had no reason to apologise for questioning the President’s leadership.

“I have no apologies to make for questioning President Uhuru Kenyatta’s leadership. Let him make good his threat to punish or discipline me,” Joho said.

The political relationship later changed following the March 2018 agreement between Uhuru and former Prime Minister (the late) Raila Odinga.

In June 2018, Uhuru and Joho appeared together in Mombasa, signalling a shift towards cooperation.

“My relationship with Uhuru is at its best… Things have changed due to the Handshake,” Joho said.

According to the Constitution of Kenya, the Fourth Schedule, Part 2, assigns trade development and regulation, including markets, to county governments.

This covers market management, local trade services and licensing. Articles 6 and 174 establish that national and county governments are distinct but interdependent, requiring consultation and cooperation in their dealings.

While the national government may finance or construct market infrastructure through development programmes, counties have the primary responsibility for managing and operating local markets.

The constitutional framework therefore underscores the importance of respecting each level of government’s assigned functions and coordinating development projects through consultation and cooperation.

Political analyst Prof Macharia Munene says the Ruto-Natembeya confrontation reflects competition for political visibility as well as differences over the responsibilities of national and county governments.

“Clearly, these are two politicians trying to outshine the other. It’s campaign time; what do you expect?” he posed.

“It is that season when any politician will want to ride with any project which would endear them to the masses,” he said.

Munene noted that the Constitution establishes distinct responsibilities for the two levels of government, adding that politicians sometimes go beyond these boundaries in pursuit of political mileage.

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