Linda Mwananchi Accuses Ruto of Interfering with Masinde Muliro Market, Defends Natembeya

The Linda Mwananchi movement has accused President William Ruto of overstepping his mandate by interfering with the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, saying the project is a county function and a monument to the late liberation icon Masinde Muliro.

In a press statement released Monday, October 19, 2026, and signed by Head of Communication Pauline Njoroge, the group says the market, named after one of Kenya's greatest-ever politicians and an early proponent of devolution, Pius Henry Masinde Muliro, is not just a trading venue but a symbol of freedom and devolution for the people of Trans Nzoia.

"Linda Mwananchi says Ruto's interference has now extended to the Masinde Muliro Market, showing little regard for the boundaries of his mandate," the statement reads.

The movement insists that the function of building markets rests squarely with devolved units and notes that the Kitale market was indeed constructed by the Trans Nzoia County Government.

Background of the Project

Linda Mwananchi gave a detailed background to counter claims around the market:

1. The project was commissioned by the County Government of Trans Nzoia in FY 2017/18 at a cost of Kshs 874,280,383.
2. The Office of the Auditor General in its FY 2023/24 report raised queries over delayed completion, 7 extensions by the contractor leading to variation of cost, lack of land ownership documents, and absence of the contractor during physical inspection on 10th September 2024.
3. The audit query was inherited by Governor George Natembeya from the previous regime.
4. The Senate County Public Investments Committee (CPIC) directed Governor Natembeya to resolve the queries and complete the project to ensure value for money.
5. CPIC later did an inspection tour and gave the county a bill of health, appreciating its efforts to resolve the queries.
6. The current status is that the audit queries have been resolved and Governor Natembeya was applauded by the Senate CPIC Committee

Ruto has No Projects To Launch - Linda Mwananchi

The group launched a scathing attack on President Ruto, saying his determination to attach himself to the market exposes his lack of national government projects to launch across the country.

The statement further alleges that Ruto is seeking another avenue to be a "supplier-contractor-seller" of another big project, as he has done with the affordable housing scheme.

"Mr 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 says.

Linda Mwananchi framed Governor Natembeya's fight over the market as a push by "devolution warriors" to block forces of regression led by Ruto from eroding constitutional gains and undermining the rule of law.

It condemned what it termed Ruto's deployment of police and heavy security hardware at the market, saying it confirms that his dwindling political fortunes have reached a point where he increasingly relies on state force.

"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 group said.

The statement ends with a declaration of solidarity: "We stand with Governor Natembeya and the people of Trans Nzoia County. Masinde Muliro Market must serve the people for whom it was built, with full respect for devolution, the Constitution and the rule of law. The Ruto regime, after all, does not have too long to stay."

Governor Natembeya and President Ruto have in recent weeks clashed over county functions, with Natembeya insisting that the law on devolution must be respected and that any national government intervention must be through dialogue and collaboration.