Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has explained why he abandoned his plan to reopen Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, days after President William Ruto officially launched the facility.
Speaking on Monday, October 19, Natembeya said his intention was to unite traders in the county rather than continue a political dispute with the Head of State.
“I have moved away from the idea of saying that I want to open the market because my intention was to bring my people together,” Natembeya said.
He added that traders who secured stalls inside the market should continue operating there, while those who missed out should be allowed to conduct business at their current locations.
“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 said.
The governor had earlier vowed to reopen the facility and allocate stalls to traders he said had been assigned spaces before the President’s visit.
The dispute intensified after Ruto officially opened the market on Friday, October 16, amid disagreements over who funded the project and who should control the allocation of stalls.
Natembeya has maintained that the county government played a major role in completing the market, accusing the national government of taking credit for a devolved project.
Ruto, however, said he intervened after construction stalled for four years and directed Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga to source funds to complete the remaining work.
During the launch, the President said 1,500 traders who had been displaced to pave the way for construction would be given priority in the allocation of stalls. He also announced KSh15 million in support for the affected traders.
The market dispute has since widened into a political disagreement over the responsibilities of national and county governments.
Natembeya’s decision to abandon his reopening plan signals a shift from his earlier threats to challenge the President’s control of the launch, although the disagreement over the market’s management and allocation of stalls remains unresolved.