President William Ruto's development tour of Trans Nzoia has become an open political fight with Governor George Natembeya. Opposition leaders were tear-gassed in Kitale, police say two officers were injured, and the national government now insists it will build a Sh1 billion hospital that the governor says he will resist.

Tear gas after back-to-back rallies

The trouble came on Friday, October 16. Leaders of the Linda Mwananchi movement were tear-gassed in Kitale town shortly after they addressed a rally at the same spot where the President had spoken earlier, Citizen Digital reported.

In a statement signed by spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the National Police Service (NPS) said two officers were injured and two government vehicles were damaged. It accused unnamed politicians of breaking the Public Order Act. "Preliminary reports indicate that the individuals concerned engaged in actions that undermined public order and the rule of law, thereby endangering the safety and security of the public," the statement read, as quoted by Kenyans.co.ke. Police said investigations had begun and that anyone found culpable would face action.

Tensions had been building since earlier that day, at the burial of Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police Lazarus Opicho in Sirende, Kiminini. Some speakers turned to politics, and security officials stepped in to cut the speeches short. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Natembeya were among the leaders who were not allowed to address mourners, according to both outlets. Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli told the gathering that the funeral was not a place for political exchanges.

Sifuna and Natembeya later spoke to residents at the venue and then moved on to Kitale town. Meanwhile, the President was inspecting market, road, housing and student hostel projects, where sections of his crowd chanted "Sifuna", Kenyans.co.ke reported.

"Bure kabisa": Ruto's broadside

Before the clashes, Ruto had opened the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale. Natembeya had threatened legal action over the launch, saying the market was a county-funded project. The President then accused the governor of sabotaging national government projects and running down the county.

"Badala ya kupanga mambo ya wagonjwa una-sabotage... Shame on you! Bure kabisa," Ruto said, according to Citizen Digital. He also mocked Natembeya over a county stadium he said had stalled for four years.

Murkomen: the hospital will be built

On Sunday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen joined the fight while speaking at an ACK church service in Kapsabet, Nandi County. He said the government would push ahead with the Sh1 billion Kitale Level 5 Hospital despite the governor's opposition.

"I was so shocked to hear my governor in Trans Nzoia he will lead a demonstration to have the facility not be built there," Murkomen said, as reported by The Star. "People are begging for health facilities while others are saying they will protest." The Eastleigh Voice reported that the CS described the facility as part of a referral hospital to be mentored by Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Natembeya has argued that health is a devolved function. He says the national government is overstepping the Constitution and should invest in a university in the county instead, The Star reported.

Kalonzo warns against arrest

Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka said on Saturday, in Mwingi, that he had information police were planning to arrest Natembeya and other leaders allied to the opposition. "We will resist any attempt to intimidate or harass elected leaders," Kalonzo said, according to Kenyans.co.ke. He promised the governor legal representation if he was arrested. There has been no official confirmation of any plan to arrest the governor.

The weekend's events add to a dispute that has grown over several weeks. Natembeya has twice had his security detail withdrawn and has demanded an explanation from Inspector General Douglas Kanja. The Standard describes the Kitale market launch as having deepened a political supremacy war between the two leaders ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Photos: President William Ruto addresses residents in Trans Nzoia (Citizen Digital); Governor George Natembeya speaks at a public meeting (The Standard).