MACHAKOS, Kenya — An entertainer and contractor, Sammy Kioko, has been hospitalised following an alleged assault during a protest over unpaid dues outside the Machakos County Government offices.
Kioko was admitted on March 31 after being referred from Kang’undo Level 4 Hospital, where he had initially been taken following treatment at Athi River Level 4 Hospital.
The incident occurred during demonstrations staged by contractors and suppliers demanding payment of pending bills from the Machakos County Government.
Kioko, who also runs Movata Fashion, claims his company supplied uniforms to the county government during the 2023/2024 financial year under a contract worth Sh20 million.
He alleges that despite fulfilling the contract, he received only Sh20,000, a claim he says is backed by M-Pesa transaction records.
The protest had been organised a day earlier, with Kioko rallying fellow contractors to gather peacefully at the county headquarters to push for accountability.
“Nothing will stop us from coming tomorrow. We will accompany those suppliers, those contractors, together with their families, and at exactly 10 am, peacefully, we will be seated within the county government of Machakos offices,” Kioko said in a video on March 30.
He emphasised that the demonstration was intended to secure dialogue with county officials.
“We deserve to be listened to; let us have this conversation. Let us see justice served, and everyone will be happy,” he added.
However, events took a different turn when protesters gathered outside the county offices, with reports indicating that enforcement officers moved in to disperse the crowd.
It is during the confrontation that Kioko was allegedly assaulted, sustaining injuries that required medical attention.
His hospitalisation has since intensified scrutiny over the handling of the protest and the broader dispute between suppliers and the county government.
The Machakos County Government has denied the existence of any contractual agreement with Kioko or several other individuals claiming payment.
County Secretary Muya Ndambuki said the administration is only settling verified claims listed in official records.
“We stand here to give an update on the pending bills and correct certain misconceptions. Of now, we have managed to settle Sh642,345,765 out of the eligible historical pending amount of Sh2.12 billion,” Ndambuki said.
He noted that a significant portion of claims presented to the county fall under unverified or ineligible categories.
“But certain persons are presenting themselves as persons who have contracted with the government. When we look at the books… we cannot directly place them in any contractual arrangement,” he said.
Ndambuki further maintained that individuals not formally recognised in county records cannot be engaged in settlement discussions.
“A person who is not privy to the contract becomes a stranger to that contract. You therefore will have no business getting to the table,” he stated.
Despite the county’s position, Sammy Kioko and other contractors insist they are legitimate suppliers who have been unfairly excluded from payment processes.
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The incident has reignited debate over the persistent issue of pending bills owed by county governments across Kenya, an issue that has long affected small businesses and service providers.
Analysts note that disputes over procurement records, verification processes, and delayed payments continue to expose gaps in financial management at the county level.
Kioko’s case now sits at the intersection of two critical concerns: accountability in public procurement and the handling of protests.
As he continues to receive treatment, questions remain over the use of force during demonstrations and whether affected contractors will receive a fair hearing.
The outcome of the dispute could have broader implications for how county governments manage supplier contracts and address grievances in an increasingly tense economic environment.
