Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti on Monday, September 8, announced the suspension of 36 county staff over allegations of corruption.
Addressing the press outside her office, the governor stated that the move demonstrated her commitment to promoting integrity and protecting the interests of Machakos residents.
Ndeti further announced that she would hand over the list of the suspended officials to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further action.
Among those suspended are county officers in charge of trade, administration, liquor, cashier services, solid waste, billing, revenue, and Information Communication and Technology (ICT).
"Today I am here to name and shame them for stealing from the public and to hand over this case and many more to the relevant authorities, including the DCI and EACC, to have them prosecuted for their crimes," Wavinya stated.
"There is no room for corruption in Machakos. The suspended county staff are required to hand over to the respective chief officer and cease transacting any business on behalf of the county," she added.
The suspended county officials are accused of several corruption allegations, including underreporting of collected county fees, diversion of funds, and issuing of fake receipts.
The governor revealed that the suspended county staff had reportedly colluded with members of the public to issue permits through illegal means, to the detriment of the county government.
According to her, the officers would remain on suspension as the EACC and DCI commence investigations, with potential disciplinary or legal action depending on the outcome of the probe.
While announcing the suspension of the 36 staff members, the governor reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring integrity and transparency within Machakos County, adding that no corrupt official would be spared.
"Integrity and stewardship are the foundation of public service. They ensure fairness, accountability, and trust between the government and the people we serve," the governor noted.
She added, "I now urge all members of the Machakos County Public Service to uphold virtue and ethics in their workplaces. Let us reject corruption, embrace transparency, and remain committed to serving our people with honesty."
