Comedian and entrepreneur Sammy Kioko has announced the closure of his fashion and design businesses, citing financial strain caused by an unpaid KSh 19 million debt owed to him by the Machakos County Government.
In a heartfelt statement posted on Facebook, Kioko said his business had reached a breaking point after months of struggling to stay operational without payment for services rendered to the county.
“The worst that I was fearing is happening. It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our shops and production areas,” he wrote.
“Despite our best efforts, we’ve faced significant challenges that have made it impossible for us to continue operating. We want to express our deepest gratitude to our loyal customers, supporters, and team members who’ve been part of this journey. This is not goodbye, but see you later. We won’t get tired of knocking on the county offices. God above everything.”
Kioko’s fashion label, known for dressing top entertainers and public figures, had been one of the fast-rising creative enterprises in Machakos. The comedian said the delayed county payments have crippled his operations, forcing him to lay off staff and close production spaces.
The case adds to growing concerns over delayed payments by county governments, which have left many small and medium enterprises struggling to survive.
As of now, the Machakos County Government has not issued an official response to Kioko’s claims.
