Kalonzo visits injured Sammy Kioko in hospital, calls for calm

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has called for calm and restraint following an incident that left comedian and businessman Sammy Kioko hospitalised.

This is even as questions continue to emerge over the circumstances surrounding the confrontation outside Machakos County offices.

Kalonzo on Thursday evening visited Kioko at Nairobi West Hospital, where he expressed solidarity with Kioko and his family while urging that the matter be handled with fairness and transparency.

“This evening, I visited Sammy Kioko to stand with him and his family during this difficult time. Sammy is like a son to me, and I continue to pray for his quick and full recovery,” Kalonzo said.

The Wiper leader revealed that he had also spoken with Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti, who he said was deeply concerned about the incident and keen to ensure justice is served.

“I also spoke with Governor Wavinya Ndeti, who is deeply concerned by this unfortunate incident and is keen to ensure that the matter is handled fairly and transparently,” he added.

Kalonzo called for sobriety as investigations into the incident continue, stressing the need to focus on facts rather than speculation.

“My hope and prayer are that this issue will now proceed with calm, sobriety, and a clear focus on the facts, so that Sammy can heal in peace and the truth can emerge without unnecessary distraction,” he said.

He further emphasised that Kioko’s well-being and the dignity of his family should remain the top priority.

“At this moment, what matters most is Sammy’s well-being, the dignity of his family, and the need for this matter to be concluded in a just and respectful manner,” Kalonzo stated.

The incident stems from a planned demonstration by suppliers and contractors who had sought to engage Machakos County officials over alleged unpaid dues.

In a video recorded on March 30, Kioko had urged participants to remain peaceful and not to fear as they pursued dialogue with authorities.

“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.

He insisted that the protest was intended to open dialogue with the county leadership over their grievances.

“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 reportedly took a dramatic turn when the group gathered outside the county offices.

Witness accounts indicate that county enforcement officers dispersed the protesters, leading to an altercation during which Kioko was allegedly assaulted, leaving him injured and in need of medical attention.

Machakos County has since distanced itself from the claims raised by the protesters, denying the existence of contractual agreements with Kioko or some of the individuals seeking payment.

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

“We are only dealing with contractors who are captured in our official systems. Claims outside that framework are being reviewed in accordance with the law,” Ndambuki said.