Comedian Sammie Kioko and Sister Stage Overnight Protest Outside Machakos County Offices.
Entrepreneur and comedian Sammie Kioko has drawn widespread attention after sharing a video of himself and his sister staging a sit-in outside the Machakos County headquarters. The family claims the county government owes them KSh19 million from a tender they fulfilled, reportedly involving the supply of uniforms. Despite repeated follow-ups, including numerous meetings with officials, the payment remains outstanding, pushing the siblings to take drastic public action.
Kioko's sister endured a sleepless night camping at the governor's office gate, accompanied at times by her young child, in a desperate bid to secure the funds. The prolonged delay has taken a severe toll: Kioko revealed that his tailoring business has fully collapsed, leading to employee layoffs, unpaid rent, and inability to cover medical costs for his ailing sister. He expressed deep frustration, noting that his sister is now stressed, depressed, and without hope, having been left stranded without any meaningful response from authorities.
In his social media appeals, Kioko directly addressed Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, highlighting her ongoing silence despite his earlier private efforts to resolve the matter. He condemned empty promises from county officials and instances of intimidation by unidentified individuals who attempted to chase them away. While some security personnel at the gate showed sympathy, no official resolution has emerged. The protest has sparked online outrage, with many Kenyans calling for accountability and questioning the lack of support from fellow celebrities, especially those linked to Machakos. The standoff continues to highlight challenges faced by contractors dealing with delayed county payments.
