County officials led by Governor George Natembeya allocated market stalls to traders at the newly built Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale on Saturday, October 10, a day before President William Ruto’s scheduled official opening on Friday, October 16.

The allocation benefitted 2,700 traders, giving them access to modern trading spaces and an improved business environment within the market complex.

Natembeya accused President Ruto of failing to honour a pledged KSh 200 million intended to complete the multimillion‑shilling market project, a claim that has intensified the political standoff between the county and the national government.

The governor said his administration inherited stalled projects, including the market and the county referral hospital, and has been using limited local revenue to push them toward completion.

Natembeya warned that organising launches of county projects without his administration’s involvement was a deliberate effort to undermine his government, a stance he reiterated to TUKO.co.ke.

President Ruto has repeatedly criticised Natembeya, alleging that the governor’s focus on his TAWE political movement detracts from development work in Trans Nzoia, remarks that were echoed during the launch of the Entebess‑Matumbei road project.

The market’s opening has become a flashpoint in the broader rivalry between the national government and the Trans Nzoia County administration, with both sides seeking credit for the infrastructure’s completion.