Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti on Monday announced the suspension of 36 county staff members over alleged involvement in corrupt practices. Speaking to journalists outside her office, the governor emphasized her administration’s commitment to integrity and accountability, highlighting that the move was aimed at safeguarding public resources and protecting the interests of Machakos residents. The names of the suspended officials have been forwarded to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further investigation.
The suspended personnel come from various departments, including trade, administration, liquor, cashier services, solid waste, billing, revenue, and Information Communication and Technology (ICT). Governor Ndeti revealed that the staff were implicated in multiple corruption allegations, such as underreporting county fees, diverting funds, issuing fake receipts, and colluding with members of the public to illegally issue permits. She insisted that the suspended officials must hand over their duties and cease conducting any business on behalf of the county while investigations are ongoing.
The announcement has elicited widespread reactions from residents and civil society groups, many of whom have praised the governor’s decisive action. Citizen advocacy groups hailed the move as a bold step toward promoting transparency and restoring public trust in the county government. Integrity and stewardship are the foundation of public service. It is reassuring to see that Machakos leadership is serious about tackling corruption, noted one local observer. Looking ahead, Governor Ndeti reaffirmed her commitment to enforcing ethical standards across the county’s public service, stressing that no corrupt official will be spared and urging all county employees to embrace transparency and honesty in serving the public.