Musician Ken Wa Maria Publicly Confronts Governor Wavinya Ndeti Over Unpaid KSh 19 Million Debt Owed to Comedian Sammy Kioko

Ken Wa Maria confronts Governor Wavinya Ndeti over an unpaid KSh 19m debt owed to Sammy Kioko. Read the latest on the 2026 Machakos County dispute.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 4:28 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

Public Confrontation at County Event Highlights Stalled Payment Dispute

In a bold display of advocacy, veteran musician Ken Wa Maria took a public stand against Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti regarding an unresolved financial dispute involving comedian Sammy Kioko. During an event held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the "Fundamentals" hitmaker addressed the Governor directly, urging her to intervene in a KSh 19 million debt that has haunted the county administration for over a year. Ken Wa Maria warned that the persistent silence on the matter was "hurting" the image of her government and creating significant disillusionment among the youth in Machakos. He appealed to her leadership to find a resolution "through any means" to end the confusion.

Sammy Kioko Links Unpaid Debt to Business Partner’s Declining Health

The debt in question originates from services rendered by Sammy Kioko’s company, which supplied staff uniforms to the Machakos County Government. The comedian first made the allegations public late last year, revealing that the KSh 19 million invoice remained ignored despite completed deliveries. In a poignant update, Kioko linked the financial strain of the unpaid debt to the deteriorating health of his business partner and "sister," Maureen. While the county government previously dismissed these claims as an attempt to tarnish the Governor’s reputation, Kioko has maintained that the lack of payment has brought his business to the brink of collapse.

Governor Ndeti Deflects Responsibility to County Procurement Team

Responding to Ken Wa Maria’s public challenge, Governor Wavinya Ndeti maintained a strictly administrative stance. She declined to intervene personally, stating that she must adhere to the law and established government protocols. The Governor delegated the responsibility of resolving the claim to the county’s procurement and accounting teams, arguing that as the head of the county, she cannot bypass legal channels for individual settlements. "I am sorry to say this, but I cannot get involved in that one. There is the law," she remarked, a statement that has since drawn sharp criticism from constituents who view the Governor as the ultimate accounting officer of the county.