Kenyan comedian and content creator Sammy Kioko has revealed a significant breakthrough in his long-standing financial battle with the Machakos County government.

Speaking on a podcast with Alex Mwakideu, Kioko confirmed that the county has finally released half of the money owed to him following a high-level intervention by the Senate.

A Timely Intervention

The dispute stems from a KSh 19 million debt involving the supply of uniforms to the county government. For months, Kioko and other stakeholders had been pushing for payment as financial pressures mounted. According to the sources, the turning point came when the Senate issued a formal letter to the Governor of Machakos.

The Senate’s correspondence highlighted the dire nature of Kioko's situation, specifically noting that his private residence was at risk of being auctioned.

“It was while I was in the hospital that the Governor decided, 'let us just pay them half first'. That half-payment they made only happened after the Senate wrote a letter to the Governor informing her that Kioko’s house was being auctioned,” he revealed.

To support his case, Kioko had provided the authorities with bank letters and legal documents proving his mounting liabilities.

The Pressure of Debt

The financial strain took a heavy toll on the comedian’s personal life and health. Kioko shared that the payment was processed while he was hospitalised.

Even from his hospital bed, he continued to receive relentless calls from creditors demanding their money.

READ ALSO: Sammy Kioko and Tom Daktari Reportedly Arrested in KSh 19M Debt Row

“Even when I was lying on the hospital bed, several phone calls were coming in, people telling me to pay their debts. The half-payment was only done after I was admitted in hospital, when my sister went to meet the governor.”

Kioko clarified that the payment was not a result of a voluntary change of heart by the county executive. Instead, it was the result of intense pressure and direct advocacy. His sister even met with the Governor to push for the release of the funds.

The scale of the crisis was significant. While the total debt mentioned in the dispute is KSh 19 million, Kioko revealed that he personally owed creditors and banks over KSh 10 million.

The threat of losing his home became the final straw, prompting the comedian to take his grievances to the Senate. He noted that the payment arrived just in time, as he was on the verge of losing his property within that very week.

While the payment of half the debt offers substantial relief, the comedian’s experience highlights the administrative hurdles and personal costs often associated with government procurement and pending bills.