Popular Kenyan comedians Sammy Kioko and Tom Daktari were allegedly arrested on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, following a heated protest at the Machakos County offices over.

Comedian Sammy Kioko and his associate Tom Daktari were allegedly arrested on Tuesday, March 31, after staging a protest outside Machakos County offices over an alleged payment dispute linked to a county tender.

The incident followed a public standoff between the two and county enforcement officers during a demonstration aimed at demanding settlement of pending bills.

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According to reports, Kioko had organised the protest to push Machakos County to pay approximately KSh 19 million, said to be owed to him and his sister for supplying uniforms under a county contract. The protest took place outside the county headquarters, where Kioko had invited suppliers, contractors, and members of the media to highlight the issue of delayed payments.

“The protest was meant to demand payment of pending bills and a clear plan from the county,” Kioko had earlier stated in media briefings.

The comedian had previously issued an ultimatum to the county government, warning that he would hold demonstrations if the matter was not addressed.

Sammy Kioko // Instagram

Arrest During Confrontation

Witnesses reported that county askaris blocked the protesters from accessing the premises, leading to a confrontation. Videos circulating online showed Kioko being restrained and taken away by officers, while Tom Daktari, who had accompanied him in solidarity, was also detained.

Key events during the protest included:

Suppliers and media gathering outside Machakos County offices
County enforcement officers are attempting to disperse the group.
Physical confrontation leading to arrests
Detention of both Sammy Kioko and Tom Daktari

The status of their release or any formal charges had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.

County Response to the Dispute

Machakos County officials had earlier responded to the claims, stating that there were ongoing efforts to clear pending bills and that Kioko was not directly listed in the contract documents. The comedian, however, disputed the claim and maintained that the payment was legitimate and overdue.

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The dispute has drawn attention to the broader issue of pending bills owed to suppliers by county governments across Kenya, a concern that has been raised by contractors and business groups in recent years.

Tom Daktari // Instagram

Growing Attention Online

The arrest sparked widespread reactions on social media, with supporters calling for transparency in handling supplier payments and urging dialogue between the parties involved. Others called for legal channels to resolve the dispute and ensure due process.

The county government, led by Governor Wavinya Ndeti, had not issued a detailed statement on the alleged arrests by the time of publication.