Governor Wavinya Ndeti of Machakos County is facing growing criticism over how her administration has handled concerns raised by young people, especially those doing business with the county.
Many youths say they have been treated with little respect when they demand payment for work they completed. Instead of quick and fair solutions, they describe a pattern of delay, silence, and in some cases force.
This concern became more visible after the recent incident involving Sammy Kioko, who was injured during a confrontation with county askaris and later admitted to Nairobi West Hospital for treatment.
For a long time, small suppliers, many of them young entrepreneurs, have complained about unpaid bills running into months and even years.
The county is reported to have large pending bills, and this has created serious strain on businesses that depend on these contracts. When Kioko and others tried to push for payment they believed was owed to them, including claims linked to supplies like uniforms, the situation quickly turned tense.
The protest outside county offices ended in violence, leaving Kioko badly injured and several other young people hurt. This response has raised questions about whether the administration is willing to listen to the people it serves, especially the youth
.The reaction from young people across Machakos was immediate. After Kioko’s hospitalization, protests broke out in parts of the town, disrupting normal activities. These demonstrations reflected deeper frustration that has been building for a long time. Many youths feel their efforts are not valued, and that their demands for fair payment are treated as trouble rather than legitimate concerns.
For many of them, county contracts are not just business deals but a source of survival. Delayed payments mean closed businesses, lost jobs, and growing financial pressure at home.
Following the protests and public attention, the situation took a different turn. Kioko’s sister, Maureen Mwende, together with her parents, visited the governor’s residence on April 2, 2026.
During the meeting, the family apologised for how they pushed for the reported Ksh19 million payment, saying frustration led them to go public instead of following all official steps.
Governor Ndeti assured them that the matter would be handled through the proper process. However, this meeting came only after the injuries and protests, which has led many to question the timing and sincerity of the response.
To some observers, the shift in tone appears more like an attempt to calm public anger rather than a genuine change in approach.
For months, the same issues had been raised without resolution, and protests were met with force instead of dialogue. Now, with increased attention and pressure, the administration is seen taking a softer stance.
This contrast has made it difficult for many youths to trust that things will improve in a meaningful way.
There are also concerns about how such situations affect the relationship between young people and the county government. When youths feel ignored or threatened for speaking out, it creates fear and discourages participation in local economic opportunities.
