Linda Mwananchi Reveals Details of Kitale Market Project in Ruto-Natembeya Row

Linda Mwananchi has defended Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya over the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, accusing President William Ruto of interfering with a project that falls under the mandate of county governments.

In a statement on Monday, October 19, the group outlined the history of the market, its construction costs and the audit queries raised over the project.

Linda Mwananchi said the market holds historical and political significance beyond its role as a trading centre for residents of Trans Nzoia County.

"For the local communities in Trans Nzoia County, therefore, it is not merely a trading venue, but also a monument in commemoration of freedom, liberty and the indomitable spirit of devolution, as espoused by the late Muliro," the statement read.

Linda Mwananchi argued that the construction of the market was the responsibility of the county government, accusing Ruto of crossing the boundaries of the national government's mandate amid the dispute surrounding the facility.

"But as with other important institutions and landmarks in the country, William Ruto’s interference has now extended to the Masinde Muliro Market, showing little regard for the boundaries of his mandate. 

"It is important to mention from the outset that the function of building markets rests squarely with the devolved units, and the market in Kitale was indeed constructed by the Trans Nzoia County Government," the statement added.

According to the information provided by Linda Mwananchi, the project was commissioned by the Trans Nzoia County Government in the 2017/2018 financial year at a cost of Ksh874,280,383.

The Office of the Auditor General raised several queries regarding the project in its audit report for the 2023/2024 financial year. 

These included delays in completing the market, seven extensions granted to the contractor that resulted in variations to the project cost, concerns over land ownership due to the county government's failure to submit relevant documents, and the contractor's absence during a physical inspection conducted by auditors on September 10, 2024.

Linda Mwananchi said the audit queries were inherited by Natembeya from the previous county administration, placing the project under scrutiny as his government worked towards its completion.

The Senate County Public Investments Committee (CPIC) subsequently directed the governor to address the audit queries and complete the market to ensure value for money.

The committee later conducted an inspection tour of the project, during which it reportedly commended the county government's efforts to resolve the audit issues and complete the facility.

Linda Mwananchi maintained that the audit queries had since been resolved and that Natembeya had received recognition from the Senate committee for his administration's handling of the outstanding issues.

The group also questioned Ruto's interest in the market, alleging that the President was seeking to associate himself with a project undertaken by the county government.

"Ruto’s determination to attach himself to the market not only exposes his evident lack of national government projects to launch across the country, but also raises concerns that he is seeking another avenue to be supplier-contractor-seller of another big project, as he has done with the affordable housing scheme.

"Ruto appears increasingly fearful of the clock, time having caught up with him without much to show for his four years in office. In just ten months, Kenyans will have the opportunity to relieve him of the responsibilities he has failed to discharge," the statement further read.

Linda Mwananchi further framed the dispute as part of a wider struggle over devolution and the constitutional division of responsibilities between national and county governments.

It accused the national government of using state security agencies to intimidate Natembeya during the standoff over the market, warning that such actions would strengthen the resolve of those defending devolution.

"The fight by Governor George Natembeya over the market represents a consistent push by devolution warriors and believers in the sanctity of the Constitution to block the forces of regression, led by Ruto, from eroding our constitutional gains and undermining the rule of law. 

"Ruto’s deployment of police and heavy security hardware at the market during this standoff confirms what we already knew: that his dwindling political fortunes have reached a point where he increasingly relies on state force as a survival mechanism. The intimidation and persecution of Governor Natembeya will only embolden us to stand firm and defy these attempts to return us to a dark era," the statement noted.

Linda Mwananchi urged Natembeya and residents of Trans Nzoia County to remain steadfast in defending the market project.

It maintained that county governments should be allowed to manage projects falling within their constitutional mandate.

"In the meantime, we will firmly resist Ruto’s attempts to extend his flawed economic approach to projects undertaken by county governments. We urge Governor Natembeya and the people of Trans Nzoia County to remain strong in the knowledge that the people of Kenya are firmly behind them. The Ruto regime, after all, does not have too long to stay," the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, Natembeya has abandoned his plan to launch the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, days after Ruto officially opened the facility. 

Speaking on Monday, October 19, he 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," he said.

Natembeya said his priority is to ensure traders and the residents of the county remain united.

He 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.