Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has refuted allegations of corruption leveled against her by political opponents, asserting that she has been funding her gubernatorial campaigns using personal resources since 2013.
Addressing those accusing her of involvement in corruption, Ndeti urged them to focus on more productive endeavors. She emphasized her commitment to delivering services to the residents of Machakos and expressed disregard for attempts to divert her attention from her core responsibilities.
“Mimi sio maskini (I’m not poor), I worked very hard in my life,” Ndeti said.
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Ndeti addressed Muslim leaders at her Whitehouse in Machakos town on Friday, reaffirming that her 2022 campaigns were funded solely by her personal resources. She dismissed claims made by some politicians from the region alleging that they contributed to her campaign funds.
“I contested for the gubernatorial seat twice, in 2013 and 2017, before clinching the seat in 2022, my third contest. I campaigned with my own money,” Ndeti said.
She told Machakos residents to ignore her naysayers.
“Ignore those noisemakers. They started fighting me in 2006 when I was contesting for the Kathiani MP seat. I was told I’m Nigerian and if given the seat, I would take public funds to Nigeria. Did I take? I clinched the MP seat and worked,” Ndeti said.
Ndeti said the same people used political propaganda when she contested for the Machakos gubernatorial seat in 2013 and 2017. She lost the seat to CS Alfred Mutua both times.
“Don’t worry about people like those ones who talk about me when there is nothing to talk about because what you are isn’t what I’m, and God knows,” Ndeti said.
She said those talking ill of her were jealous of her exemplary performance in service delivery to residents.
“I have to listen to the majority. I will diligently serve you and by the end of five years, those critics shall have had heart attacks because I will deliver,” Ndeti said.
Ndeti pointed out that some of her political adversaries had benefited from corruption, accumulating wealth through fictitious projects in tenders from the Machakos government under past administrations.
Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi advised his superior to disregard her detractors and concentrate on fulfilling her duties.
“Your excellency, I hear some people making a lot of noise outside here. There will be more noise, your problem is that you don’t know how to make noise but work,” Mwangangi said.
He highlighted that despite inheriting over Sh3 billion in pending bills upon assuming office in 2022, the governor has successfully initiated over 600 development projects using public funds.
“We won’t keep quiet. We have been silent for more than one-and-half years while people insult us, talking ill of the county government. Warushe, turushe. Waseme, tuseme because we know we are saying the truth,” Mwangangi said.
