Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said on Monday, Oct. 19, that he has abandoned his plan to launch the newly built Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, days after President William Ruto officially opened the facility.

Natembeya described the disagreement with the president as “petty wars” and said his priority is to keep traders and residents of the county united.

He clarified that traders who were slated to be relocated from roadside stalls to the new market will now be allowed to continue operating at their current locations, and those already allocated space inside the market will remain there.

Natembeya added that he will not evict any traders from their existing roadside sites, urging both market occupants and roadside sellers to coexist peacefully.

The dispute follows a recent exchange in which Natembeya warned he would replace the plaque bearing President Ruto’s name on the market with his own if the president proceeded with the commissioning.

President Ruto had commissioned the Masinde Muliro market on Oct. 16, stating that the project had stalled for four years before he mobilised national funds to complete it and that 1,500 displaced traders would receive priority for stalls.

Ruto also announced a Ksh15 million donation to the traders who suffered losses while waiting for the market’s completion.