Ruto-Natembeya market row leaves traders stranded

Police officers block traders from accessing Masinde Muliro Modern Market in Kitale on November 10, 2026. [Martin Ndiema, Standard]

A standoff has ensued at the newly completed Masinde Muliro Modern Market in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, over the allocation of 2,700 stalls.

The dispute pits Trans Nzoia County against the national government, leaving traders locked out and counting losses running into millions.

A contingent of General Service Unit (GSU) personnel has been deployed at the facility, blocking traders allocated the stalls by the county government from accessing the premises.

The standoff occurred after President William Ruto opened the market in October 2026 and directed that the stalls be prioritised for the Kitale Bus Park Sacco and distributed through balloting.

Governor George Natembeya rejected that process, invalidated the national allocation, and issued separate allocation letters through his administration.

The stalemate has left hundreds of the affected traders suffering, with the ongoing rains worsening the situation.

On Tuesday, County Executive Members Janerose Mutama (Trade), Gideon Barongo (Environment and Water), and Pius Gumo (Lands) were prevented by security agencies from handing over the stalls to traders with allotment letters issued by the county administration.

Although the team was allowed to enter the market, the security officers denied the accompanying traders entry.

Their visit followed a directive from Natembeya that relevant departments facilitate the traders holding allotment letters in occupying the stalls.

"I hereby direct all relevant departments to work jointly with the affected traders and liaise with the Officer Commanding Station OCS to secure necessary security support," the governor directed on Monday.

But the governor's directive was not implemented after security officers barred traders from accessing the stalls.

On October 28, the High Court in Kitale issued conservatory orders restraining the national government from interfering with and allocating stalls at the market.

Traders who had been issued allotment letters moved to court to contest the national government's decision to allocate the same stalls to different people.

Mutama told journalists that only a handful of traders were operating in the market, as the majority of those with county government-issued allotment letters were barred from accessing their stalls.

The standard established that fewer than 200 traders have been operating at the facility since President Ruto opened it.

The traders are among the 1,500 who were allocated stalls by County Commissioner Hussein Alasow, following a directive from the Head of State.

The heavy presence of security agencies has paralysed businesses, as county officials and affected traders have protested against their continued presence.

Mutama accused the officers of frustrating the traders from occupying their stalls.

"They have allowed a section of the traders to access the facility while locking out dozens of others holding county-issued allotment letters," Mutama lamented.

The affected traders, led by Solomon Wanyonyi, protested that they have operated in the open for 15 years after being displaced to pave way for the construction of the market.

"The ongoing heavy rains are frustrating our business after being denied access to the market built to end our suffering from operating in the open," complained Wanyonyi.

Catherine Mbomere, who sells vegetables along Line Moja Street, said she was excited that the market's completion could end her agony over the lack of a decent space to operate her business.

"The county government had promised I would benefit once the market is complete. But that has not happened. We are only seeing police protecting the market. When will the stalemate end?" she asserted.

Some of the 2980 traders issued allotment letters by the county government had already started occupying stalls at the facility before the national government disrupted the exercise.

Kapchanga Manyoa, one of the affected traders, says he invested in his stall, bought shelves, stocked goods, and was then told to leave in 24 hours.

"It is wrong for the national government to interfere with the operations of the county government. We are suffering because of politics," said Manyao.

Silas Kilonge, chairman of the Kitale Market Traders Association, wondered aloud who would issue business permits. Who will collect revenue? Who is in charge?

The local Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry KNCCI voiced its concerns about the ongoing intrigues over the market, saying it is affecting the economy of the county.

Titus Kilongi, the chamber's branch chairman, said the traders are losing business due to the standoff.

"We are losing business every day if the stalemate continues," said Kilongi.

He urged Ruto to engage local business leaders.

Governor Natembeya directed county-allocated traders to occupy their stalls using a Kitale Law Courts order that restrained the national government and security agencies from interfering with county market management.

However, police officers on the ground defied the directive and turned the traders away.

The market was started by former Governor Patrick Khaemba, who received support from the World Bank.

It was supposed to take two years to be completed, but it stalled for nine years.

Natembeya claimed his administration spent county money-nearly Sh500 million to clear the audit queries, connect electricity, and finish the building.

President Ruto claimed his administration spent close to Sh1 billion to complete the market after it stalled.

Other national government sources indicate that Sh56 million was allocated to complete the market.

Ruto gave each trader Sh10,000 to restart their businesses.

Natembeya has accused the president of interfering with the function of the county government, which he says is against the constitution.

As of November 12, the market remains contested. GSU patrols it in shifts.

The county government insists it will allocate stalls "in due course, within the parameters of the law.

The traders are asking for one thing: a published list, a clear criterion, and a day when they can open their shutters without fear of eviction.