Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has firmly rejected claims by comedian and businessman Sammy Kioko regarding unpaid debts for supplied goods. Addressing the controversy in a statement on April 1, 2026, the governor noted that official county records do not recognize Kioko as a registered supplier. The clarification follows what she described as “recent statements and events” involving Kioko, who recently voiced concerns over alleged non-payment by the county administration.
Governor Ndeti clarified the situation by stating, “Our records indicate that Mr Sammy Kioko is not a registered supplier of the County Government of Machakos.”
According to the county chief, the administration actually contracted a firm known as Movata Designs to supply Inspectorate uniforms. She pointed out that the county requires anyone claiming to represent the company to provide formal legal documentation. Ndeti underscored the necessity for strict adherence to procurement protocols to ensure transparency in public spending.
“For any individual to lawfully act on behalf of the company, proper legal authorization must be presented, including a valid Power of Attorney, formal appointment by the company, or representation through a qualified advocate,” she said.
The governor’s remarks follow a chaotic scene in Machakos Town on March 31, 2026, where county askaris allegedly assaulted Kioko during a protest over the payment dispute. The incident left the businessman seeking urgent medical care; he received initial treatment at Athi River Level 4 Hospital and Kang’undo Level 4 Hospital before his eventual admission to Nairobi West Hospital.
Addressing the physical confrontation, Governor Ndeti voiced her disapproval of the clash and called for calm. She stated, “As a county government, we do not condone violence in any form, and we urge all parties to exercise restraint and allow lawful and orderly processes to prevail.”
Regarding the specific contract, the governor confirmed that Movata Designs did deliver some goods, but she categorized the shipment as incomplete. She explained that the timing of the delivery prevented the county from verifying the items before the budget cycle closed.
“Partial delivery occurred towards the close of the financial year 2023/2024, and therefore inspection and acceptance of the partial delivery could not be conducted,” she said.
Consequently, Governor Ndeti explained that the administration classified the debt as a pending bill to align with Public Finance Management procedures. She used the opportunity to highlight her government’s broader strategy for managing outstanding debts, revealing that a rigorous verification process scrutinized Sh3,812,256,795 in inherited claims. Of that total, the county cleared Sh2,126,781,000 as eligible for payment while rejecting Sh1,685,475,795 due to discrepancies like unverified legal fees and missing documentation.
The county has already disbursed Sh642,345,765 of the approved amount, which leaves a remaining balance of Sh1,484,435,235.
“This outstanding balance will be systematically addressed through the 1st Supplementary Budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026 and subsequent financial years, in line with available resources,” the governor stated. She pointed to the Sh1,395,643,990 in bills settled during the current financial year as “a clear demonstration of our commitment to restoring fiscal discipline and honoring obligations.”
While the governor assured legitimate contractors that the county would honor all verified claims, she insisted on strict adherence to legal and financial protocols. Simultaneously, she discouraged the use of protests to demand funds, noting that “Public demonstrations and media campaigns, while understandable, cannot override lawful procedures nor accelerate payments beyond what is provided for within the law.”
Kioko had joined a growing group of contractors in public demonstrations to demand their unpaid dues. The entertainer, who manages Movata Fashion, maintains that his company fulfilled a contract worth Sh20 million to supply uniforms to the Machakos County Government during the 2023/2024 financial year. Despite completing the delivery, Kioko alleges he received a payment of only Sh20,000, a claim he attempted to verify by sharing M-Pesa transaction messages publicly.
The protest that led to the reported assault was organized a day in advance. Kioko had used social media to rally fellow suppliers and contractors to gather peacefully at the county headquarters to seek accountability.
“Nothing will stop us from coming tomorrow. We will accompany those suppliers, those contractors, together with their families, and at exactly 10 am, peacefully, we will be seated within the county government of Machakos offices,” Kioko stated in a video on March 30.
Throughout his appeal, he encouraged affected business owners to overcome their fear, insisting the goal was to open a line of communication with county leadership. “We deserve to be listened to; let us have this conversation. Let us see justice served, and everyone will be happy,” he added.
However, the situation escalated quickly once the group gathered outside the county offices. Reports indicate that enforcement officers moved in to disperse the protesters, resulting in the violent encounter that left Kioko injured and requiring hospitalization.
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