Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has attributed recent claims of her arrest in the United Kingdom to political rivals aiming to tarnish her reputation. Ndeti contends that these allegations, spread by corrupt individuals, are an attempt to undermine her achievements in advancing development projects in Machakos.
Describing the attacks as a form of “corruption fighting back,” Ndeti insisted that falsehoods and propaganda would not deter her from her mission. “I’m pleased to be back home. As you know, I went to the UK for a meeting with other governors to follow up on fire engine procurement and garbage collection equipment,” she stated.
Addressing the press upon her return to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on Monday, Ndeti dismissed the rumors as distractions from her ongoing work. Accompanied by her eldest son Charles Oduwoale, she was welcomed by family, Machakos MCAs, county executives, and members of the public.
Ndeti announced that she had secured two fire engines for Machakos as donations from the UK. She also extended her stay in the UK to assist her younger daughter with settling into university. “I needed to ensure my daughter was well settled before returning to Kenya,” she explained.
The governor expressed pride in her administration’s accomplishments over the past two years and attributed the negativity surrounding her to jealousy over her success. She highlighted reforms such as consolidating 211 pay bill accounts into two for greater transparency and improving revenue collection, which has increased from Sh1 billion to Sh1.7 billion.
Ndeti noted that her administration’s efforts to automate revenue streams and overhaul hospital processes had exposed and eliminated inefficiencies, disrupting the influence of those who had previously benefited from the system’s shortcomings.
She emphasized that recent changes, including those in the Ministry of Lands, had disempowered corrupt networks and fostered empowerment programs, which had unsettled her critics. The governor also pointed to the successful G7 Conference in Machakos as a testament to her commitment to women’s empowerment and progress.
Ndeti vowed to continue her reforms, asserting that the battle against corruption would persist and that those who had exploited the system would be removed. “I assure you that we will strengthen our efforts. The schemes of corruption are collapsing, and we are aware of those responsible,” she concluded.
