Fresh allegations have sparked outrage in Machakos County after claims emerged that Governor Wavinya Ndeti orchestrated payments amounting to over Sh350 million to companies allegedly linked to her through proxies and close business associates.
The payments, reportedly processed in December last year, are said to relate to road projects that contractors and residents claim were either poorly executed or remain incomplete.
At the same time, dozens of local contractors who say they delivered quality work allege that the county government has failed to settle their pending bills, pushing some into severe financial distress.
An investigation drawing from contractors, county insiders, and financial experts paints a picture of a procurement system allegedly centralized and controlled from the governor’s office.
Allegations of Proxy Networks and Preferential Treatment
Contractors interviewed for this report claim that Governor Ndeti exerted direct influence over procurement and finance operations, allegedly controlling tender awards, influencing evaluation processes, and determining payment timelines.
Multiple sources allege that firms associated with the governor and her son, Charles Odiwale, received preferential treatment in the award and settlement of lucrative road contracts. According to insiders, these firms allegedly operated through proxies and allied partners to obscure direct links to the county leadership.
Several road projects tied to the Sh350 million payments have drawn criticism from residents who cite visible defects, including uneven surfaces and early formation of potholes. In some cases, projects remain incomplete despite substantial disbursements.
Meanwhile, independent contractors claim they were required to surrender 10 percent of contract values upfront before securing tenders — a demand they describe as coercive and unlawful. After mobilizing resources and completing projects, they allege they have faced months of delayed payments.
One contractor described what he termed “systematic discrimination” against local firms, saying repeated attempts to secure payment approvals from the county’s finance department under Chief Officer Julius Kasanga have gone unanswered.
Finance professionals within the county warn that such alleged micromanagement weakens institutional checks and balances, creating conditions ripe for conflicts of interest and financial mismanagement.
Pending Bills Soar to Sh6.8 Billion
Internal finance discussions indicate that Machakos County’s pending bills have ballooned to over Sh6.8 billion in the past three years. Experts at the Office of the Controller of Budget caution that rising pending bills threaten service delivery and long-term fiscal stability.
Contractors say delayed payments have forced many into loan defaults after borrowing from commercial banks to finance county projects. Some now face auction threats and mounting interest penalties.
County insiders further describe an atmosphere of fear within procurement and finance departments, alleging that officers hesitate to question directives due to fears of professional retaliation.
Residents have also questioned the value for money, pointing to the contrast between heavy payments and substandard workmanship as a sign of deeper governance concerns.
London Arrest Claims and Governor’s Defense
The controversy has resurfaced alongside reports that in September 2024, Governor Ndeti was detained in the United Kingdom alongside her son over allegations of attempting to move large sums of money from Kenya into Europe. Although no publicly disclosed charges followed, the reports intensified scrutiny over her financial dealings.
In response to the current allegations, Governor Ndeti has firmly denied any wrongdoing. She has described claims linking her to proxy companies and irregular payments as politically motivated attempts to damage her reputation. She has also dismissed reports of her arrest as fabricated narratives pushed by political rivals.
The governor maintains that her administration has delivered nearly 1,000 projects since August 2022 and recorded Sh1.7 billion in own-source revenue in the 2023–2024 financial year. According to her, these achievements demonstrate effective leadership rather than misconduct.
However, critics argue that revenue growth does not absolve alleged procurement violations or conflicts of interest. They contend that if investigations confirm that county funds were directed to companies linked to the governor through concealed ownership structures, it would represent a serious breach of public trust and procurement laws.
Contractors are now calling for an independent forensic audit of all road contracts awarded under the current administration. They are demanding full disclosure of beneficial ownership for all companies paid and technical assessments of completed projects.
As scrutiny intensifies, Machakos County faces a defining moment. Should investigators substantiate the allegations, legal action could follow. If the claims are disproven, the governor may claim vindication — though lingering questions could continue to shadow her administration.