Natembeya Makes U-turn on Launching Masinde Muliro Market

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has abandoned his plan to launch the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, days after President William Ruto officially opened the facility.

Speaking on Monday, October 19, Natembeya said he changed his mind on proceeding with the launch, describing the dispute with President Ruto as petty wars. 

“I have withdrawn from the plans to launch the market because those are petty wars designed to send a certain message. I am over that,” Natembeya said.

The Trans Nzoia Governor said his priority is to ensure traders and the residents of the county remain united. 

Natembeya noted that he had initially planned to relocate traders operating along the roads to the newly opened market but had since decided to let them continue conducting business at their current locations.

“I want my people to come together. Those who get a space in the market can work inside the market, and those who do not get a space in the market because I had said after opening the market I was going to clear everyone doing business along the roads; now I will let them do business right where they are. 

“I won't evict them from there. Let those in the market stay in the market, and let the others stay outside, but let us live together as the people of Trans Nzoia,” he added. 

Governor Natembeya has in recent days been involved in a push and pull with President Ruto, saying the Head of State cannot commission a project which was funded by the county government.

Natembeya threatened to launch the market and replace the plaque bearing President Ruto’s name with one bearing his own.

"Come and open it. After all, I have built it for you. However, when you leave, I will remove the plate bearing your name and replace it with mine," he stated. 

President Ruto commissioned the Masinde Murilo market on Friday, October 16. 

Speaking after the launch, Ruto said the project had stalled for four years before he mobilised funds from the national government to complete it. 

He said that he instructed Housing Principal Secretary (PS) Charles Hinga to source funds to complete the final stages of the project.

"I stepped in because the market had stalled for four years. I told PS Hinga to look for the little money left to complete the construction of the market so that we can settle the businessmen and women who had been displaced to pave the way for the construction," Ruto stated.

The president said the 1,500 traders who were displaced to give way for the project's construction will be given priority when the stalls in the modern market are distributed.

He further donated Ksh15 million to the traders, who had suffered business losses as they waited for the Masinde Muliro Market to be completed.