Machakos County has finally broken its silence following a dramatic incident involving comedian Sammy Kioko, with Governor Wavinya Ndeti issuing a detailed statement addressing both the confrontation and long-standing supplier payment concerns.
The incident, which occurred on March 31, 2026, in Machakos Town, has sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny over delayed payments to suppliers, with Kioko reportedly caught up in the dispute.
In her statement, Governor Ndeti termed the incident “unfortunate” and firmly condemned any form of violence.
“We do not condone violence in any form and urge all parties to exercise restraint and allow lawful and orderly processes to prevail,” she said.
The County Government clarified that Sammy Kioko is not a registered supplier, distancing him from the contractual dispute.
According to official records, the contract for Inspectorate uniforms was awarded to Movata Designs, not Kioko personally. The Governor emphasized that any individual claiming to act on behalf of a company must present proper legal documentation, including a valid Power of Attorney, formal company authorization, or representation through a qualified advocate.
The County acknowledged that Movata Designs delivered supplies during the 2023/2024 financial year, but only partially and close to the reporting deadline. As a result, inspection and acceptance were not completed, leading to the classification of the payment as a pending bill under public finance regulations.
Governor Ndeti revealed that Machakos County inherited pending bills amounting to KSh 3,812,256,795. A verification committee established that KSh 2,126,781,000 is valid and payable, while KSh 1,685,475,795 consists of ineligible claims due to unverified legal fees and incomplete documentation.
She noted that since assuming office, the administration has already settled KSh 642,345,765 of the verified historical debts, leaving a balance of KSh 1,484,435,235. Additionally, within the current financial year, the County has cleared KSh 1,395,643,990, which she described as a strong demonstration of commitment to fiscal discipline.
On current pending bills totaling KSh 1,967,674,645, the County reported that KSh 249,849,469 has already been processed, KSh 300 million has been included in the supplementary budget, KSh 846 million has been proposed for the 2026/2027 financial year, and KSh 572 million will be cleared in the next financial cycle.
The Governor explained that payments are being handled using the First-In, First-Out principle to ensure fairness among suppliers.
She also cited delays in disbursements from the National Exchequer as a key factor affecting payment timelines, noting that the challenge is being experienced across multiple counties.
Governor Ndeti urged suppliers to exercise patience and engage the County Government through official channels, warning that demonstrations and public pressure cannot override legal procedures.
She assured all stakeholders that the County remains committed to settling all verified claims.
“Government is a perpetual institution, and all verified obligations will be honored in due course,” she stated.
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