Governor Wavinya suspends 33 revenue officers linked to fraud

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has suspended 33 county revenue officers over allegations of fraud, marking one of the most sweeping anti-corruption actions taken by her administration to date. Announcing the decision during a press briefing on Monday, the governor condemned corruption as a threat to service delivery and vowed to dismantle what she described as deeply entrenched networks of graft within the county. She said the suspensions followed growing public concern over illegal revenue practices and pledged that all implicated individuals would be held fully accountable.
According to Governor Wavinya, the officers are suspected of involvement in several fraudulent schemes, including under-reporting fees, diverting county funds, and issuing fake receipts and permits to unsuspecting residents. This comes despite the county’s push toward digitized revenue collection systems aimed at sealing loopholes that historically enabled misuse of public resources. The suspended officers have been directed to hand over their duties to respective Chief Officers, and their names—along with others still under investigation—will be submitted to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for further action.
The governor’s strong stance has drawn attention across Machakos, with residents and civil society groups welcoming the move as a needed step toward restoring trust in county operations. Many have long complained about unreceipted payments, inconsistent licensing processes, and cash losses within various sub-counties. Wavinya emphasized that the crackdown is not merely punitive but part of a broader cultural shift she hopes to instill, one where integrity and accountability outweigh shortcuts and impunity. She also encouraged whistleblowers to come forward, promising they would be protected rather than victimized.
Looking ahead, the county government plans to intensify internal audits, strengthen digital oversight tools, and expand investigations into all departments suspected of harboring corrupt practices. Governor Wavinya asserted that this initial suspension is only the beginning of a sustained, countywide clean-up intended to create a transparent, corruption-free public service. She noted that additional arrests, reforms, and prosecutions are likely as the county works to smoke out the very last culprit and rebuild public confidence in its systems.