Natembeya Issues 24-Hour Vacate Notice at Kitale Market Days After Ruto’s Launch

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has issued a 24-hour notice directing traders and other occupants of the Masinde Muliro Business Park in Kitale to vacate the premises, days after President William Ruto officially opened the facility.

In a notice dated Monday, October 26, 2026, the County Government of Trans Nzoia directed all persons occupying stalls, shops and other sections of the multi-storey complex to remove their goods and leave the premises within 24 hours of being served with the notice.

The county, which also refers to the facility as Masinde Muliro Market, said the building was being occupied without the required Certificate of Occupation.

According to the notice, the property is identified as Kitale Municipality Block 4/276 and is owned by the county government under Contract No. CGTN/PF/T-012/2017-2018.

The county cited the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019, and relevant development control regulations, arguing that occupation without the required certificate violates the law.

Occupants who fail to comply with the directive could face enforcement action, including the securing of stalls and recovery of costs incurred by the county.

The notice also warns traders against tampering with padlocks, seals or other county property, cautioning that any damage could lead to police investigations, prosecution and recovery of repair costs.

However, individuals with valid stall allocation letters, leases or other written authorisation have been instructed to present their documents to the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Lands, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development within the specified period.

The directive comes just days after President Ruto officially opened the business complex on October 16, 2026. The facility has approximately 2,980 trading spaces and cold-storage facilities intended to provide a modern working environment for traders.

The market has been at the centre of a public disagreement between Ruto and Natembeya over its development, completion and control of stall allocation.

Natembeya has maintained that the county government played a major role in completing the project, while the national government has highlighted its intervention in bringing the stalled development to completion.

The latest notice introduces another development in the dispute, with traders now facing uncertainty over their continued occupation of the facility.

It remains unclear how many traders will be affected by the 24-hour directive and what action the county will take once the deadline expires.

For the traders, the immediate concern is whether they will be allowed to continue operating at the newly opened complex or will be required to vacate as directed.

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