By Andrew Kariuki
Machakos County Government has dismissed claims by comedian Sammy Kioko that it owes him Ksh19 million, with County Secretary Muya Ndambuki stating that Kioko is not a recognised supplier and has no contractual relationship with the county.
Speaking during a media briefing on pending bills, Ndambuki said the county could not trace Kioko in its official records, terming him a “stranger” to any contract with the county government.
“It is unfortunate that certain persons are presenting themselves as persons who have contracted with the county government. But when we look at the books… we cannot directly place them in any contractual arrangement,” the county stated.
The county maintained that only individuals or entities formally listed in its records as contractors or suppliers can be engaged in discussions over pending payments.
“Kioko, as an individual with the documents available at the disposal of the Machakos county, is not a director… there is no push and pull about it,” the statement added.
Ndambuki further emphasised that the county has established mechanisms to clear pending bills, including a master list and structured payment plan guided by factors such as the age of the debt, availability of funds, and a first-in, first-out approach.
He noted that pending bills are not unique to Machakos County, adding that both county and national governments face similar obligations, but stressed that all legitimate claims are documented and scheduled for payment.
The county also urged contractors with grievances to follow formal dispute resolution channels instead of what it described as public campaigns aimed at discrediting the government.
The remarks come amid an ongoing dispute between Kioko and the county government over an alleged unpaid tender for the supply of staff uniforms.
Kioko has publicly claimed that the county owes him Ksh19 million, a situation he says has led to the collapse of his fashion business, closure of tailoring shops and severe financial strain.
He has in recent weeks shared his experiences on social media, stating that the delayed payment drained his working capital, forcing him to lay off employees and sell personal assets, including his car, to support family needs.
On March 31, 2026, Kioko was arrested outside Machakos County Finance Offices while staging a protest over the alleged unpaid dues.
During the arrest, a video showed a plain-clothes officer wrestling Kioko to the ground, with witnesses claiming he sustained injuries. He is currently admitted in hospital following the alleged harassment.
The protest followed Kioko’s earlier call for collective action, where he urged contractors and suppliers to speak out against delayed payments and resist intimidation.
Before the demonstration, Kioko posted on social media: “Impunity has a deadline! Suppliers won’t be silenced, won’t be intimidated! It’s Time, Machakos County HQ.”
Despite the claims, the county government insists it has been settling pending bills, including those inherited from previous administrations, and remains open to engaging legitimate contractors through official channels.
