Kenyan comedian Sammy Kioko has announced the closure of his thriving fashion business, just days after publicly accusing Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti and her administration of failing to pay a county tender worth Sh19 million.
The move marks a heartbreaking turn of events for the former Churchill Show star, who says he has been struggling to keep his company afloat amid delayed payments from the Machakos County Government.
Unfulfilled Promises to Kenyan Youths
When President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza administration took office, they promised to empower young entrepreneurs by prioritising them in government tenders.
However, many youths have since expressed frustration, claiming that the same government has failed to honor payments for services rendered, leaving them financially crippled.
Sammy Kioko has now joined that growing list of disillusioned young business owners.
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Forced to Close Operations
On Thursday, October 30, 2025, Kioko took to social media to announce that he was shutting down his fashion company after months of struggling to sustain operations.
He revealed that he had been forced to lay off dozens of employees due to a lack of funds, blaming the dire situation on unpaid dues from the Machakos County Government.
Although he did not mention Governor Wavinya Ndeti directly in his emotional post, Kioko strongly hinted that the county’s failure to settle his company’s pending payment was the root cause of his financial woes.
“The worst that I was fearing is happening. It’s with a heavy heart that we’re announcing the closure of our shops and production areas. Despite our best efforts, we’ve faced significant challenges that have made it impossible for us to continue operating,” Kioko wrote.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude to our loyal customers, supporters, and team members who’ve been part of this journey. Not a goodbye, but a see-you-later. We won’t get tired of knocking the county offices, God above everything,” he added.
Fans and Celebrities Rally Behind Kioko
The announcement sparked an outpouring of sympathy from fans and fellow entertainers, who filled the comment section with messages of encouragement and solidarity.
Many urged Kioko to stay strong and remain hopeful that justice would eventually prevail.
A Year-Long Struggle for Payment
The closure comes just a week after the comedian shared a video from outside the Machakos Governor’s residence, detailing his frustrating year-long attempt to get his company paid for services already delivered.
In the video, Kioko pleaded with Kenyans and fellow celebrities to amplify his message, hoping it would compel Governor Ndeti to address his concerns.
His revelations quickly went viral, sparking outrage online and reigniting public debate about how county governments handle payments to youth-led enterprises.
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A Sobering Reality Check
Kioko’s experience sheds light on the harsh realities faced by many young entrepreneurs in Kenya who rely on government tenders to grow their businesses.
What began as a promise of empowerment under the Kenya Kwanza administration is increasingly being seen by many as a cycle of broken promises and bureaucratic frustration.
As the story continues to unfold, fans and industry peers hope that the comedian’s bold stance will not only earn him the justice he deserves but also push for greater accountability within Kenya’s devolved governments.
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