Comedian Sammy Kioko hospitalised after alleged assault over debt dispute

Sammy Kioko, lying on a hospital bed in Nairobi West Hospital with comedian Tom Daktari standing beside him on March 31./HANDOUT

Comedian and businessman Sammy Kioko is receiving treatment at Nairobi West Hospital after he was allegedly assaulted by Machakos county askaris during a protest over a disputed payment claim.

Kioko was admitted on March 31 after being referred from Kang’undo Level 4 Hospital, where he had earlier been taken following initial treatment at Athi River Level 4 Hospital.

His hospitalisation followed an incident that reportedly occurred outside the Machakos County Government offices, where he had joined other contractors in demonstrations over unpaid dues.

The entertainer, who also runs Movata Fashion, claims that his company supplied uniforms to the Machakos County Government during the 2023/2024 financial year under a contract worth Sh20 million.

However, Kioko alleges that despite fulfilling the supply, he only received Sh20,000, a claim he supported by sharing Mpesa transaction messages.

The protest that preceded the alleged assault had been planned a day earlier, with Kioko publicly calling on fellow suppliers and contractors to gather peacefully at the county headquarters to demand accountability and payment.

“Nothing will stop us from coming tomorrow. We will accompany those suppliers, those contractors, together with their families, and at exactly 10 am, peacefully, we will be seated within the county government of Machakos offices,” Kioko said in a video on March 30.

He urged those affected not to fear, insisting that the demonstration was aimed at securing dialogue with county officials.

“We deserve to be listened to; let us have this conversation. Let us see justice served, and everyone will be happy,” he added.

However, events took a different turn when the group gathered outside the county offices, with reports indicating that enforcement officers dispersed the protesters, leading to the alleged assault that left Kioko injured and in need of medical attention.

Sammy Kioko, among other contractors, staged a protest outside Machakos County headquarters on March 31./SCREEN GRAB

Machakos County has since denied the existence of any contractual agreement with Kioko or some of the individuals claiming payment.

County Secretary Muya Ndambuki, addressing the media, maintained that the administration is only engaging verified contractors captured in official records.

“We stand here to give an update on the pending bills and correct certain misconceptions. Of now, we have managed to settle Sh642,345,765 out of the eligible historical pending amount of Sh2.12 billion,” Ndambuki said.

He added that a significant portion of the remaining claims falls under unverified or ineligible categories, including legal fees and individuals who cannot be directly linked to formal contracts with the county.

“But certain persons are presenting themselves as persons who have contracted with the government. When we look at the books… we cannot directly place them in any contractual arrangement,” he said.

Ndambuki further argued that individuals not formally recognised in county records cannot be engaged in settlement discussions. “A person who is not privy to the contract becomes a stranger to that contract. You therefore will have no business getting to the table,” he stated.

Despite the county’s position, Kioko and other contractors maintain that they are legitimate suppliers who have been unfairly excluded from payment processes.

His hospitalisation has since drawn attention to the dispute, raising concerns over how the standoff between suppliers and the county government is being handled.

As Kioko continues to receive treatment, the incident has sparked public debate on the treatment of protesters and the broader issue of pending bills owed to suppliers by county governments.