Governor Wavinya Ndeti addressing the press at her office in Machakos town on August 12,2026.Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has called on county MCAs to end the standoff over the 2026/27 budget, warning that residents are bearing the brunt of delayed services.
Speaking at her Whitehouse office in Machakos town on Wednesday, Ndeti said she would convene dialogue with the County Assembly to resolve the impasse that has disrupted county operations.
“It is time for the MCAs to stand up and be counted. As your leader, I have decided I will convene a dialogue so that we address this matter because Machakos is bigger than all of us,” Ndeti said.
The governor spoke a day after MCAs approved only 50 per cent of the county budget amid disagreements over allocations.
Ndeti accused the Assembly’s Budget and House Business Committees of being influenced by “external political forces” to frustrate her administration.
She singled out members of the Budget Committee and UDA-allied MCAs.
“The budget we forwarded to the assembly reflected the wishes of the citizens, not my wishes or the wishes of my deputy. All I need them to do is to be sincere and truthful,” she said.
The governor also dismissed claims by MCAs that some departments, including water, had received zero allocation, describing the assertions as "misleading".
Ndeti further disputed claims that pending bills as of June 30, 2026, stood at Sh7.5 billion.
“The total amount of pending bills payable was Sh4.6 billion. This included Sh1.6 billion in staff salaries for April, May and June 2026 arising from the failure to approve the supplementary budget by the County Assembly,” she said.
She said the allocation for pending bills in the 2026/27 financial year was Sh858 million, rather than Sh270 million as stated by the Assembly.
Ndeti said outstanding bills would be settled through a first-charge arrangement.
She also accused the Assembly of making amendments that infringe on the executive’s legal and contractual obligations.
“To weaponise the budget process against the very citizens who elected you is an abdication of legislative duty and a reckless betrayal of public trust. You are punishing the people of Machakos unfairly,” she said.
The budget standoff has stalled service delivery in the county, with Ndeti urging MCAs to put the interests of residents first.
