Natembeya Defends County Role In Management Of Kitale Market

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has defended the county government’s authority to manage markets, insisting that responsibility for running such facilities remains with counties even when the national government contributes to their construction.Natembeya’s remarks come amid an escalating dispute with President William Ruto over the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, with the two leaders differing over the project’s ownership, financing and management.

“Even if the national government builds the market, the responsibility for running it belongs to the county government,” Natembeya said.

The governor has maintained that the Masinde Muliro Market was completed through county resources and support from the World Bank. He has accused the national government of interfering with the allocation of stalls and the management of the facility.

The disagreement intensified after the President visited Trans Nzoia and became involved in the market’s opening and allocation of trading spaces. Natembeya has argued that county authorities should be allowed to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without interference from the national government.

The Constitution assigns trade development and regulation, including markets, to county governments under the Fourth Schedule. Legal experts have similarly noted that counties are responsible for managing devolved markets, while the two levels of government are required to cooperate in exercising their respective functions.

Natembeya’s position has therefore shifted the dispute beyond the question of who funded or launched the market to a broader debate about the implementation of devolution.

The governor has called for respect for the constitutional boundaries between the national and county governments, arguing that political differences should not interfere with service delivery.

The controversy has also attracted the attention of political groups, with Linda Mwananchi defending Natembeya and accusing the national government of undermining devolution in the management of the Kitale facility.As the dispute continues, the allocation of stalls and management of the market remain contentious issues. The disagreement is also likely to fuel wider political debate ahead of the 2027 General Election, particularly over the balance of power between the national government and county administrations.

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