Natembeya’s Tough Warning to Ruto Over Market Control: What the Governor Wants the President to Know

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has intensified his disagreement with President William Ruto over the management of public markets, insisting that county governments should retain control of facilities built within their jurisdictions.

Natembeya’s position is that even when the national government finances or constructs a market, the responsibility for running the facility should remain with the county government, in line with the constitutional division of responsibilities between the two levels of government.

His remarks come amid a growing dispute over the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, where disagreements have emerged over project ownership, the allocation of stalls and the role of national government officials.

Why Natembeya Is Challenging Ruto Over the Market

The governor has repeatedly questioned the national government’s involvement in the Kitale market project, arguing that his administration deserves recognition for its contribution to the facility.

According to reports by People Daily, Natembeya has maintained that the county government and the World Bank funded the market’s construction. He has challenged the President to focus on projects undertaken by the national government rather than taking credit for developments he says were delivered by the county.

However, the funding arrangements have become part of the disagreement, with national government officials also pointing to their contribution towards completing the project.

The dispute has therefore grown beyond the question of who should officially open the market. It has also raised concerns about which authority should manage the facility and determine how traders access business spaces.

The Bigger Question: Who Should Allocate Market Stalls?

One of the most important issues surrounding the disagreement is the allocation of stalls to traders.

Natembeya has accused the national government of interfering with arrangements made by his administration for traders to occupy the market. He maintains that the facility was intended to provide a suitable trading space for local businesspeople who had operated along roads and in less suitable conditions.

The disagreement has raised concerns about how traders will be selected, whether previously identified beneficiaries will retain their places and which authority will oversee the market’s daily operations.

For small-scale traders, the outcome matters because access to a stall can determine their ability to earn a living and support their families.

What the Dispute Means for Devolution in Kenya

The Constitution assigns different responsibilities to the national and county governments. County governments have responsibility for local trade development, including markets, while the national government can support development projects within the applicable legal and financial framework.

This means that cooperation between the two levels of government is important when projects involve funding, construction and eventual management.

Natembeya’s argument centres on the need to respect the powers of county governments instead of allowing disagreements between political leaders to interfere with public services.

At the same time, questions surrounding the market’s financing and completion highlight the importance of transparency, proper agreements and accountability when public money is used for development.

Ultimately, residents and traders need a functioning market, clear rules for allocating stalls and an accountable authority responsible for managing the facility.

As the disagreement between Natembeya and Ruto continues, the central question remains whether both levels of government can resolve their differences while protecting the interests of the people they serve.

Do you agree with Natembeya that county governments should manage markets even when the national government helps build them? Share your views respectfully in the comments.

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