During a recent episode of The Obinna Show, comedian Sammy Kioko shared his personal struggles stemming from delayed payments by the Machakos County Government. The financial challenges impacted not only his business ventures but also left him struggling to support his ailing sister, who requires urgent medical attention.
Public Appeal and Community Support
Moved by Kioko’s emotional account, host Oga Obinna set up a donation till number during the broadcast, allowing viewers to contribute. By the end of the show, fans had raised over KSh 221,000 to help cover medical costs, demonstrating solidarity from both the entertainment community and the general public.
Financial Struggles and Emotional Toll
Kioko broke down live on TV as he described the difficulties caused by a KSh 19 million payment owed to him by the county government for a project completed months prior. The delayed funds forced him to suspend multiple business projects and left him struggling to provide for a sick business partner in India.
“There’s need to be paid. Anyone from Machakos County kindly help. Things are not okay. I have suffered enough,” Kioko posted on social media, capturing public attention and prompting support from fellow entertainers and the public.
In a bid to raise funds for urgent medical care, Kioko announced the closure of his shops and production facilities. He also revealed that he was putting up his cherished eight-year-old car for sale, highlighting the sacrifices he was making to support his sister.
Response from Machakos County Government
The Machakos County Government, through Joseph Mathuki, head of procurement, clarified that Kioko’s claims were “misleading.” Mathuki explained that the tender for county uniforms was awarded to a registered business entity that did not list Kioko as a director. Payment delays were attributed to incomplete deliveries, which have since been resolved, and payments resumed. He also noted that Kioko had no legal authority to speak on behalf of the company.
Kioko’s Clarification and Gratitude
Following the controversy, Kioko clarified his position on Instagram, expressing gratitude to fans who supported him. He reaffirmed the necessity of selling his car to secure urgent medical care for his sister, emphasizing that difficult decisions are sometimes unavoidable during crises.
