Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti is facing growing criticism after claims surfaced that her administration has refused to pay comedian and businessman Sammy Kioko a debt amounting to 19 million shillings.
Sammy reportedly supplied uniforms and other items to the county government, but months later, he has not been paid. What has angered many Kenyans even more is that instead of addressing the issue, Wavinya’s team has accused him of being an “imposter” and part of a political scheme meant to damage her reputation.
Sammy, who became a household name after winning the Ultimate Comic Challenge in 2018, has since built a small clothing business in Machakos, offering employment to several young people.
However, that dream has fallen apart. Without the payment he expected, Sammy has had to close down his business. In emotional posts online, he revealed that he even sold his prize car to help fund his sister’s surgery abroad while still struggling to get what he says is rightfully his.
Videos circulating online show him waiting outside the governor’s office, pleading for attention and holding a placard asking for justice.
In response, the Machakos County government released statements insisting there was no contract between Sammy and the administration. They claimed he was seeking publicity and pushing a political agenda. This response only made matters worse, as many Kenyans saw it as a public relations move to deflect blame rather than resolve the issue.
Social media users quickly rallied behind Sammy, demanding accountability from the governor and her team.Online, hashtags such as #WavinyaPaySammyKioko and #JusticeForSammyKioko are trending, with thousands expressing disappointment in the governor. Many accuse her of hypocrisy for frequently preaching youth empowerment while allegedly failing to support a young entrepreneur who tried to do honest business.
Her social media pages have been flooded with angry comments from residents and Kenyans across the country demanding that she pay up before speaking about development or empowerment again.
Some Kenyans pointed out that Wavinya often shares Bible verses and messages of peace online, yet her actions do not match her words. Others have said that the issue reflects a bigger problem in county governments where payments to small business owners are delayed for months, leading to financial collapse. Sammy’s employees have reportedly lost their jobs, and many see this as a betrayal of the very youth the governor claims to uplift.
Several prominent figures have also weighed in, questioning why the county cannot simply provide evidence that no contract exists if their claims are true. Some have even warned that the scandal could affect Wavinya’s political future if not handled transparently.
A few businessmen have jokingly offered to lend her the money to pay the debt, saying it would be cheaper than losing public trust.
The issue goes beyond one businessman and one governor. It highlights how unpaid county contracts are crippling small enterprises and discouraging young entrepreneurs from doing business with the government. Sammy Kioko’s case has become a symbol of that frustration.
Kenyans are demanding not just justice for him but better leadership from those in power. Many now believe that if Wavinya wants to rebuild trust, she should stop the public denials and focus on resolving the matter.
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