Machakos County has officially transitioned to a fully cashless revenue collection system, a move Governor Wavinya Ndeti says will curb corruption and protect investors and small traders from harassment. Speaking during Mars Wrigley Kenya Maua’s tenth anniversary celebrations in Athi River, the governor announced that all payments to the county government must now be made through a designated paybill number, eliminating the need for physical cash transactions with county staff. We don’t want people coming to take money from our investors physically, she said, noting that the shift aims to create transparency and restore confidence in county operations.
Governor Ndeti emphasized that the cashless model applies to all businesses operating within Machakos—from major investors to small-scale traders such as mama mbogas. She said the county has deliberately created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, citing Machakos’ strategic location near Nairobi, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and major transport corridors like the expressway. The governor, who grew up in Athi River, reflected on the region’s transformation from a town anchored by a handful of industries to a growing commercial hub with expanding investment opportunities. She vowed to continue listening to residents and ensuring that every investor feels secure and valued.
The event also highlighted Mars Wrigley Kenya’s successful Maua programme, which has partnered with more than 1,600 small-scale entrepreneurs—over 700 of them women—to build a strong distribution network reaching informal settlements and rural areas. Several beneficiaries have grown from handling stock worth Sh50,000 to more than Sh500,000, demonstrating the programme’s economic impact on local livelihoods. Mars Wrigley announced plans to recruit 1,000 more entrepreneurs in Kenya and expand the initiative to Tanzania in 2024 and Rwanda in 2025, reinforcing the region’s growing appeal for investment.
Going forward, Governor Ndeti said the county will continue making reforms that make Machakos an ideal destination for both local and international investors. The administration hopes that eliminating cash handling will not only reduce corruption but also increase revenue collection, strengthen accountability, and build a modern digital economy. With growing private-sector partnerships and a strong governance shift toward transparency, Machakos aims to position itself as one of Kenya’s most business-friendly counties.