Sammy Kioko is facing a severe crisis after Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s Machakos County government refused to pay him 19 million shillings for a completed contract.
This money is crucial for his business and to pay for his sick mother’s hospital bills. His mother is in critical condition, on oxygen and intravenous medication, and Kioko cannot afford her treatment because the funds have been withheld.
Kioko’s business employed several locals, but the unpaid money forced him to close it, leaving many people without jobs. He provided a Local Purchase Order as proof of the contract, yet the county government denied ever working with him, claiming political motives.
Governor Wavinya Ndeti, who frequently talks about youth empowerment, has been accused of ignoring Kioko’s pleas. Social media users have condemned her for failing a young entrepreneur while promoting hashtags and youth events to clean her image.
Critics say these PR stunts are meant to distract from the suffering caused by her refusal to pay suppliers.This is not an isolated case. Ndeti has previously faced accusations of misusing public funds, including spending over one billion shillings on legal firms and being caught with large sums of cash abroad.
Many ask why county assembly members have not held her accountable.The people of Machakos are demanding justice. Kioko’s story reflects the issue of corruption and neglect in the county.
Calls for the government to release the funds are growing louder, with citizens saying, “Dawa ya deni ni kulipa” the cure for debt is to pay it. Until the money is released, Kioko, his mother, and others in similar situations continue to suffer while the governor focuses on PR campaigns instead of real solutions.
Corruption and failure to pay contractors have real consequences. Leadership promises must match action, and in this case, Wavinya Ndeti’s inaction has caused hardship for an innocent family and destroyed livelihoods. The county must act now to correct this injustice.
Leave feedback about this