President William Ruto and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya are embroiled in a growing dispute over a proposed Sh1 billion hospital, the allocation of stalls at the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale and the completion of stalled development projects in the county.

The disagreement has brought renewed attention to the respective responsibilities of the national and county governments, particularly in the management of public projects, healthcare infrastructure and trade facilities.

The latest confrontation follows Governor Natembeya’s objections to the proposed hospital project and his criticism of the national government’s involvement in the allocation of trading stalls at the newly opened Masinde Muliro Market.

President Ruto, meanwhile, has defended his administration’s development plans for Trans Nzoia, maintaining that the national government will proceed with projects intended to improve public services.

Ruto Defends Proposed Sh1 Billion Hospital

The proposed hospital has emerged as a major point of disagreement between the two leaders, with Natembeya questioning the project’s funding arrangements, land availability and the need to establish another facility before addressing challenges facing existing hospitals.

Ruto has maintained that the hospital project will proceed, arguing that expanding access to specialised healthcare is necessary to improve services for Kenyans who cannot afford to seek treatment abroad.

Speaking during a church service in Kapsabet, Nandi County, on Sunday, October 18, the President said the proposed facility was intended to improve access to specialised medical services.

He also announced plans for additional hospitals in other parts of the country, including Kwale County, as part of his administration’s broader healthcare infrastructure programme.

Natembeya has questioned the national government’s approach to the project, calling for clarity on how it will be financed and how the proposed facility fits into the existing healthcare system.

The disagreement highlights the need for coordination between the two levels of government when implementing projects that may affect county healthcare planning, budgets and service delivery.

Kitale Market Dispute Triggers Fresh Tensions

The disagreement has also extended to the Masinde Muliro Market, also referred to as Masinde Muliro Business Park, where the allocation of trading stalls has become another source of friction.

Ruto officially opened the facility on Friday, October 16, and directed the national administration to prioritise traders who had been displaced during construction.

The President also announced Sh15 million in financial support for approximately 1,500 traders, with each expected to receive Sh10,000 to help them restart or sustain their businesses.

Trans Nzoia Governor Natembeya addressing supporters at a Tawe Movement event.

Natembeya has challenged the national government’s involvement in allocating the stalls, arguing that trade falls under the functions of county governments and that his administration should have a role in determining how the facility is managed.

According to the governor, the market, valued at more than Sh800 million, was developed by the county government with support from the World Bank before financial constraints led to its handover to the national government.

He has called for a transparent allocation process to ensure that traders who previously operated in the area are given an opportunity to benefit from the new facility.

Tensions escalated in Kitale on Monday, October 19, amid uncertainty surrounding the allocation of stalls. Reports indicated that heavily armed police officers had been deployed to parts of the town as the dispute continued.

Some traders reportedly kept their businesses closed while awaiting clarity on the allocation process.

Natembeya has indicated that he intends to seek the intervention of the Senate and the courts to resolve questions surrounding the responsibilities of the national and county governments.

The dispute has raised concerns about how the market will be managed and whether the disagreements between the two administrations could further delay traders’ access to the facility.

Kenyatta Stadium Project Adds to Disagreement

The stalled Kenyatta Stadium project has also featured in the dispute between Ruto and Natembeya.

During his tour of Trans Nzoia, the President announced that the national government would take over the completion of the stadium, criticising the county administration over the project’s delayed completion.

Ruto also highlighted other development initiatives in the county, including road construction, markets, affordable housing and rural electrification.

Natembeya, however, has questioned the funding arrangements for some of the announced projects and accused the national government of using development initiatives to advance political interests.

Current Construction status at Kenyatta Stadium in Kitale

The governor has maintained that development projects should benefit residents regardless of their political affiliations and that both levels of government must operate within their constitutional mandates.

The stadium dispute adds to the broader disagreements over which administration should finance, implement and oversee development projects in Trans Nzoia.

Ruto-Natembeya Rivalry Ahead of 2027 Elections

The growing disagreement comes amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Natembeya emerging as a vocal critic of Ruto’s administration.

The President has criticised the governor’s leadership and introduced political figures viewed as potential challengers to him in the next gubernatorial election.

Natembeya, through his Tawe Movement, has continued to mobilise political support while accusing the national government of using development projects to advance political interests.

The governor has also questioned the withdrawal of his security detail and demanded an explanation from the Inspector-General of Police.

The political rivalry has added another dimension to disagreements over development priorities and the management of public resources in Trans Nzoia.

However, the central issues extend beyond the political contest, touching on the delivery of public services, the management of public infrastructure and the relationship between Kenya’s two levels of government.

Questions Over Projects and Public Services

The disagreements over the proposed hospital, Masinde Muliro Market and Kenyatta Stadium have placed the relationship between the national and county governments under scrutiny.

For traders in Kitale, the immediate concern is the allocation of stalls and the opportunity to resume business without further disruption.

For residents, the proposed hospital and the stalled stadium represent development commitments whose implementation and funding arrangements require clarity.

The outcome of the dispute will depend on how the two administrations address their differences, clarify their respective responsibilities and move forward with projects intended to benefit residents.

As the 2027 elections approach, the confrontation also illustrates how disagreements over development priorities can intersect with political competition.

Ultimately, residents will be looking for tangible results, including accessible healthcare, completed infrastructure and a transparent process for allocating public facilities.