Natembeya Gives 2,700 Kitale Market Traders 24 Hours to Vacate Stalls After Ruto’s Handover

Thousands of traders operating at the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, face eviction after the county government issued a 24-hour notice requiring them to vacate the premises and remove their goods.

The directive, signed by County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development Omulo Pius Gumo, affects occupants of the multi-storey business complex located on Kitale Municipality Block 4/276.

The county government cited the absence of an Occupation Certificate as the main reason for the eviction notice, arguing that the traders were occupying the building without the required approval.

According to the notice, continued occupation of the premises without a Certificate of Compliance contravenes the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019, and the regulations governing the implementation of the law.

The administration warned that traders who fail to comply within the specified period could face enforcement measures, including the securing of stalls and recovery of the resulting costs from the affected occupants.

However, traders who possess valid allocation documents, leases or other written authorisation have been directed to present the paperwork to Gumo’s office within the 24-hour period for verification.

The county government also raised concerns over the alleged destruction of its property, claiming that some occupants had broken padlocks attached to stalls belonging to the administration.

Gumo warned that anyone found interfering with county property could be reported to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.

The directive has placed the livelihoods of hundreds of small-scale traders at risk, with uncertainty surrounding the future of their businesses as the deadline approaches.

The dispute comes against the backdrop of disagreements between Governor George Natembeya and President William Ruto over the market project.

Ruto commissioned the facility and allocated stalls to traders, a move that reportedly heightened tensions between the two leaders. Natembeya has accused the President of failing to honour a KSh 200 million pledge towards completing the market.

The President, in turn, has criticised the governor’s development record.

The latest eviction notice is likely to intensify the dispute over the management and occupation of the market, particularly as affected traders seek clarity on the validity of their allocations and the county government prepares to enforce its directive.

https://www.tuko.co.ke/kenya/counties/644501-natembeya-orders-kitale-market-traders-vacate-stalls-24-hours-rutos-handover/

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