Leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi movement have criticised President William Ruto over his involvement in development projects in Trans Nzoia County, arguing that some of the initiatives fall under the mandate of county governments.
The leaders also raised concerns over the withdrawal of security officers attached to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, with Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi warning that the President would be held responsible if anything happened to the governor.
Speaking in Kitale after meeting political aspirants, Osotsi urged Ruto to respect the constitutional division of responsibilities between national and county governments.
“As senators… we want to tell William Ruto to leave issues of devolution alone. Market projects and hospitals are county functions,” Osotsi said.
He further warned that any harm to Natembeya would raise serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the governor’s security arrangements.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna echoed the criticism, questioning the President’s involvement in the launch of projects that the leaders said should be handled by county administrations.
“Show us what your national government work is, instead of moving around Kenya opening markets—that is the work of governors,” Sifuna said.
The dispute comes amid a public disagreement between Ruto and Natembeya over development projects in Trans Nzoia, including the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale.
Natembeya has previously claimed that the market was built using county government funds and challenged the President’s planned involvement in its official opening. Ruto, meanwhile, has criticised the governor over the implementation of national government projects in the county.
The controversy over Natembeya’s security intensified on October 15, when the governor said his security detail had been withdrawn for the second time and called on Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja to explain the decision.
Natembeya maintained that any review of his security arrangements should follow the law and be conducted professionally, without political influence.
The latest exchange highlights growing tensions between the national government and opposition-aligned leaders over the implementation of development projects, the division of government responsibilities and the treatment of elected officials.
The President’s office and the relevant security authorities’ responses to the specific accusations made by Osotsi and Sifuna were not included in the information provided.
