Machakos County has moved to defuse growing outrage over unpaid supplier claims, with Governor Wavinya Ndeti confirming that comedian Sammy Kioko will be considered for payment once due process is completed. The governor said any verified claim linked to the disputed uniforms will be addressed through a supplementary budget, following public pressure over delayed settlements.
The statement, issued on April 1, came after tensions escalated in Machakos Town a day earlier, where frustrations over pending bills sparked protests and renewed scrutiny of the county’s financial management.
Governor Ndeti clarified that county records do not list Kioko as a registered supplier. Instead, the contract for inspectorate uniforms was awarded to Movata Designs, which remains the legally recognised entity.
She emphasised that anyone claiming payment on behalf of a company must present formal legal authority, such as a power of attorney, to validate their claim.
The county acknowledged that Movata Designs delivered part of the uniforms late in the 2023/2024 financial year, delaying inspection and acceptance, and pushing the payment into the pending bills category.
A Pending Bills Committee reviewed inherited claims totalling Ksh3.8 billion, approving Ksh2.1 billion and rejecting Ksh1.6 billion due to insufficient documentation. So far, over Ksh642 million has been paid.
Ndeti assured suppliers that all legitimate claims will be honoured, urging calm and lawful dispute resolution. Public figures including Mike Sonko, Oga Obinna and Dr Ofweneke have backed Kioko, demanding transparency.