Comedians Sammy Kioko and Tom Daktari Reportedly Arrested During Machakos Protest Over Unpaid Tenders

Comedians Sammy Kioko and Tom Daktari were reportedly arrested by police officers outside the Machakos County Finance Offices after taking part in what witnesses described as a peaceful protest over long-delayed tender payments.

The two were taken into custody on Tuesday while demanding the release of Ksh19 million that Kioko and his associates claim is owed to them by the Machakos County Government.

The protest was centered on what they described as continued frustration caused by unpaid bills, an issue that has allegedly dragged on for an extended period despite several attempts to seek intervention.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said the situation quickly turned tense when officers moved in to disperse the protest. One officer who was not in uniform was reportedly seen struggling with Kioko before forcing him to the ground. He was then taken away into the tightly guarded county offices as security remained heavy around the premises.

Some people who witnessed the arrest further claimed that Kioko may have sustained minor injuries during the confrontation.

However, these allegations could not be immediately verified independently by Newshub.co.ke. By the time of publishing, it had also not been clearly established whether the two comedians had been transferred to any nearby police station after being removed from the protest scene.

The Tuesday demonstration followed earlier remarks made by Kioko during a press briefing held on Friday, March 27, where he publicly called on members of the media, fellow contractors, and suppliers to come together and speak out against delayed payments.

He stressed that the issue goes beyond personal grievances and touches on the wider struggle many service providers face when dealing with county governments.

Kioko encouraged other affected suppliers not to give in to intimidation or pressure, insisting that the push for prompt payment is based on fairness, accountability, and respect for people who have already delivered services.

According to him, standing up for their dues is not just about money, but also about protecting the dignity of businesses and workers who depend on such payments to survive.

In response to the growing complaints, Machakos County Secretary Muya Ndambuki dismissed the claims raised by Kioko and his team, describing the protest as a calculated attempt to mislead the public.

He accused the group of spreading what he termed as false information aimed at painting the county government as one that ignores contractors and suppliers.

The county government has maintained that one of the main issues surrounding the payment dispute is that Kioko is allegedly not listed as a registered director of any company currently engaged in business with Machakos County.

Officials say this has been a major factor behind the decision to withhold the contested payment, even as the matter continues to attract public attention.

In earlier interviews, Kioko had opened up about the emotional and financial toll the delayed payments have had on both his businesses and his personal life.

He explained that the situation had pushed him into serious difficulties, at times forcing him to seek financial support from close friends just to stay afloat and keep operations running.

He also revealed that several efforts to reach top county officials, including Governor Wavinya Ndeti, did not bear fruit.

The lack of progress in those engagements is said to have worsened the standoff, with both sides continuing to trade accusations over who is responsible for the delay.

Despite the claims by Kioko and other affected parties, Machakos County has continued to insist that it is committed to clearing all verified pending bills before it, including debts inherited from previous county administrations.

The dispute now appears to be deepening, with the latest arrest likely to draw even more public scrutiny over how supplier payment issues are being handled within the county.

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