The Linda Mwananchi movement has accused President William Ruto of interfering with the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, amid a dispute involving the national government and Governor George Natembeya.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, and signed by its Head of Communication, Pauline Njoroge, the movement defended Natembeya's handling of the market project, insisting that its development falls within the responsibilities of county governments under Kenya's devolved system of governance.
The movement accused Ruto of disregarding constitutional boundaries and warned against what it described as attempts to undermine devolution.
“William Ruto's interference has now extended to the Masinde Muliro Market, showing little regard for the boundaries of his mandate,” the statement read.
Linda Mwananchi maintained that the market was constructed by the Trans Nzoia County Government and questioned the President's involvement in the project.
“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 movement stated.
Linda Mwananchi Reveals Cost of Kitale Market Project
The movement provided details of the project's history, saying it was commissioned by the Trans Nzoia County Government during the 2017/2018 financial year at a cost of KSh874,280,383.
According to the statement, the project subsequently attracted audit queries from the Office of the Auditor-General over delays, contract extensions and questions surrounding land ownership.
The movement said the Auditor-General's report for the 2023/2024 financial year raised concerns about seven extensions granted to the contractor, variations in the project's cost and the failure to submit documents relating to land ownership.
The audit also reportedly noted the contractor's absence during a physical inspection conducted on September 10, 2024.
“These audit queries were inherited by Governor Natembeya from the previous regime,” the statement said.
Linda Mwananchi further stated that the Senate County Public Investments Committee (CPIC) directed Natembeya to address the audit concerns and ensure the project was completed to deliver value for public money.
The movement claimed the committee later inspected the project and acknowledged the county government's efforts to resolve the outstanding issues.
“CPIC did an inspection tour of the project and gave the county a bill of health in its efforts to complete the project,” the statement read.
“The committee appreciated the efforts of the county government in resolving the audit queries,” it added.
According to Linda Mwananchi, the audit queries have since been resolved, and Natembeya was commended by the Senate committee.
The claims regarding the resolution of the audit queries and the committee's assessment are based on the movement's statement.
Movement Accuses Ruto of Seeking Political Credit
The movement also questioned Ruto's interest in the market, suggesting that his involvement was politically motivated.
It alleged that the President was seeking to associate himself with a project developed by the county government while raising concerns about the national government's development record.
“Ruto's determination to attach himself to the market not only exposes his evident lack of national government projects to launch across the country,” the statement claimed.
The movement went further to suggest that the President could be seeking opportunities to benefit commercially from large public projects.
“It 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,” Linda Mwananchi alleged.
The statement did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation concerning the President's alleged commercial interests in the market project.
The movement also launched a political attack on Ruto's administration, arguing that the President had little time left before the next General Election to demonstrate his achievements.
“Mr Ruto appears increasingly fearful of the clock, time having caught up with him without much to show for his four years in office,” the statement read.
“In just ten months, Kenyans will have the opportunity to relieve him of the responsibilities he has failed to discharge,” it added.
The remarks signal an escalation in the movement's criticism of the President as political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election continue to take shape.
Linda Mwananchi Backs Natembeya in Devolution Dispute
Linda Mwananchi described Natembeya's position in the market dispute as part of a wider struggle to protect the constitutional framework established under Kenya's 2010 Constitution.
The movement portrayed the governor's actions as a defence of county governments' authority against what it considers excessive interference by the national government.
“The fight by H.E. 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,” the statement said.
It accused Ruto of leading efforts that threaten to weaken constitutional gains made through devolution.
The movement also criticised the reported deployment of police officers and heavy security equipment during the standoff at the market.
“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 statement alleged.
Linda Mwananchi warned that the alleged intimidation of Natembeya would not discourage its members from defending the governor.
“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,” it stated.
The statement did not include a response from the national government addressing the movement's accusations.
Movement Threatens to Remove Ruto Through Ballot
The movement concluded its statement with a political warning to the President, drawing parallels between Kenya's historical liberation struggles and its call for political change in the next General Election.
It said Kenyans would have an opportunity to determine the country's political direction through the ballot.
“We wish to remind Ruto that just as the nation's freedom heroes defeated colonialism and entrenched dictatorship, a new generation of liberation fighters will lead the country to the ballot to remove the regime he has put in place,” the statement read.
Linda Mwananchi said it would seek to restore what it described as the constitutional order disregarded by the current administration.
“When we do, we shall restore the constitutional order that he has disregarded with impunity,” the movement declared.
It also pledged to resist what it described as attempts to extend the President's economic approach to projects undertaken by county governments.
“In the meantime, we will firmly resist Ruto's attempts to extend his flawed economic approach to projects undertaken by county governments,” the statement added.
The movement urged Natembeya and residents of Trans Nzoia County to remain steadfast, expressing confidence that they had support from across the country.
“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,” it stated.
“The Ruto regime, after all, does not have too long to stay,” the statement added.
Linda Mwananchi reaffirmed its support for the governor and insisted that the market should serve the residents for whom it was built.
“We stand with Governor Natembeya and the people of Trans Nzoia County,” the movement said.
“The 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 statement was signed by Pauline Njoroge, Head of Communication at the Linda Mwananchi National Secretariat.
The dispute places renewed attention on the division of responsibilities between national and county governments, as well as the political tensions surrounding the implementation of devolution in Kenya.
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