Unpaid and Unheard: The Struggle of Machakos Contractors

By Stanley Mumo 

Machakos County was on the spot today after a group of aggrieved suppliers and contractors, led by Sammy Kioko, held a tense press briefing demanding immediate payment of pending bills, alleging intimidation, corruption, and deliberate silence from the county leadership.

What was expected to be a large gathering of over 100 suppliers turned into a smaller but emotionally charged event after several contractors reportedly failed to attend due to fear, threats, and alleged intimidation.

“Some received calls, others were threatened, and many feared to come. This is what has been happening in Machakos—you cannot speak, you cannot air your grievances,” Kioko said.

He accused the county administration under Wavinya Ndeti of ignoring their pleas for over a year, despite repeated attempts to secure a meeting.

Kioko painted a grim picture of suffering among contractors, claiming many have fallen into depression, lost property through auction, or faced arrest due to unpaid debts.

“Some cannot afford a meal, some are sick, others are depressed. Their only mistake was supplying to the county,” he said.

He further alleged that corruption within procurement and finance departments has made it nearly impossible for contractors to be paid without kickbacks.

“In Machakos, you will never be paid without giving money,” he claimed.

One of the affected suppliers, Maureen Mwende, shared her personal ordeal, saying her business and family have been severely affected after supplying uniforms to the Inspectorate Department in the 2023–2024 financial year.

“We followed all procedures. We supplied, delivered, and completed everything. But after that, it became a different story,” she said.

Mwende revealed that the financial strain has left her struggling to sustain both her business and personal life.

“We have been auctioned. We don’t have homes, we don’t have peace. I just ask—what is our fault?” she posed.

Another contractor narrated how taking a loan to complete a project has now left them in deeper financial distress due to delayed payments.

“Nimefinyika sana. I took a loan, and now I am struggling to repay. Why are people not being paid?” the contractor lamented.

The contractors questioned recent claims made by the governor that a significant percentage of pending bills had been cleared.

“We hear that hundreds of millions have been paid. But who has been paid? Because it is not us,” one contractor asked.

They called for a comprehensive audit, raising concerns about possible “ghost contractors” benefiting from payments.

Speakers emphasized that delayed payments are not only hurting individual contractors but also crippling the wider economy of Machakos.

“Paying one contractor means money circulates—workers are paid, suppliers are paid, businesses grow,” Kioko explained.

They compared their situation to neighboring counties such as Kitui County and Makueni County, where they claimed contractors are paid promptly after completing projects.

In a direct address to Governor Ndeti, the contractors urged her to take urgent action: Investigate alleged corruption within county departments, Conduct an audit to identify genuine contractors and Engage suppliers in open dialogue. 

“If you want to revive the economy of Machakos, pay contractors,” Kioko concluded.

Despite the low turnout, the briefing exposed deep frustration and desperation among contractors who say they have been pushed to the brink.

For many, today’s event was not just a press conference—but a final plea for justice, dignity, and survival.