Linda Mwananchi leaders have criticised President William Ruto over his planned opening of the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, accusing him of interfering with projects they say belong to county governments.
Speaking after meeting aspirants for various political seats in Kitale, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said markets and hospitals fell under county responsibility. He urged the President to focus on projects managed by the national government.
Osotsi also condemned the withdrawal of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s security detail, warning that Ruto would be held accountable if anything happened to the governor. He extended the warning to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Natembeya has said his security detail was withdrawn for a second time and has asked Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja to explain the decision.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen defended the withdrawal, accusing the governor of associating with people he described as goons and planning violence. Natembeya has questioned the process behind the decision.
Sifuna echoed Osotsi’s criticism, saying the President should respect the division of responsibilities between national and county governments. He accused Ruto of seeking credit for county projects and challenged him to demonstrate what the national government was delivering in the area.
The market has become the focus of a dispute over who financed its construction and should receive credit for its completion.
Trans Nzoia officials say the county government provided most of the funding, while the national government contributed to the final stage of construction. Natembeya has said his administration used county funds to build the facility.
The county government allocated stalls to traders ahead of the President’s planned visit. The market is expected to provide trading space for thousands of small-scale traders in Kitale.
Ruto’s planned opening comes amid increasingly sharp exchanges between the President and Natembeya over development in Trans Nzoia.
The governor has accused the national government of taking credit for county work, while national officials have defended their role in completing projects.
The leaders’ remarks reflect a wider political dispute over devolution and the responsibilities of each level of government.
Kenya’s county governments are responsible for local functions including markets and county health services, while the national government handles national policy and services assigned to it under the Constitution.
The disagreement over the Kitale market and Natembeya’s security is likely to remain a point of tension as political leaders continue to campaign and build alliances ahead of the 2027 General Election.
