Machakos Assembly Minority Leader and Kinanie MCA Francis Kavyu during an Assembly sitting on October October 14, 2025. Photo Assembly Facebook. 
By Virginia Siebella
Fresh controversy has erupted in the Machakos County Government after a report revealed massive inflation of costs in climate change projects, sparking calls for an urgent probe by the Senate, the Auditor-General, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
According to the report, the county allegedly purchased 9,760 hermetic grain storage bags at an inflated cost of Ksh.2,400 each, despite the prevailing market price being around Ksh.250. The project, valued at Ksh.23.4 million, is listed as “complete and fully paid,” with 9,760 farmers said to have benefited.
Minority Leader Francis Kavyu described the deal as outright theft and warned that the scandal could jeopardize donor funding worth over Ksh.100 million.
“This report will not end here in the assembly. All government investigative agencies must swing into action. This is donor-funded money, and if mismanaged, the county will lose critical funding. We are forwarding this report to the Senate, Auditor-General, and EACC,” Kavyu declared.
He further likened the procurement scandal to the infamous “carcinogenic wheelbarrows” of Bungoma County, saying the figures provided by the county government amounted to “theft, plain and simple.”
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources member Dominic Maitha echoed the concern, saying other projects under the climate initiative also raised red flags.
“The report shows 200 families received cassava cuttings worth Ksh.650,000, yet these crops are usually distributed for free. There is also no documentation for water tanks purchased at Ksh.94,000 — clear evidence that there was no competitive bidding. Governor Wavinya Ndeti must act to stop the looting,” Maitha said.
However, in a swift rebuttal, Deputy Speaker and Ekalakala MCA Stephen Mwanthi dismissed the allegations, accusing the minority side of politicizing the issue.
“The resources of Machakos are being prudently used. Nothing is being lost. Let us give Governor Wavinya Ndeti ample time to discharge her duties,” Mwanthi maintained.
The Speaker of the County Assembly is expected to make a ruling on the matter later today as pressure mounts on the executive to account for the funds.
