Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has dismissed claims by former governor and Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua that her administration has neglected the Machakos People’s Park. In a Tuesday social media post, Wavinya criticised Mutua’s remarks, arguing that the county had received billions of shillings over the years but still struggled with development challenges in several sectors.
The governor said her administration had, during its first term, focused on ensuring residents benefit from devolution through investments in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment. Wavinya highlighted the establishment of the Machakos Youth Service (MYS), saying the programme has provided thousands of young people with practical skills and opportunities for self-employment.
She also pointed to improvements in roads and other infrastructure, claiming her administration had addressed years of neglect in the sector. On healthcare, early childhood development, nutrition and agriculture, the governor said her government had made significant progress. She further noted that Machakos has emerged among Kenya’s leading maize-producing counties.
Wavinya also defended her administration’s management of county employees, saying it inherited a demotivated workforce with limited opportunities for training and professional development. She said the county had improved accountability by ensuring allowances and other staff payments, including daily subsistence allowances (DSA), are transferred directly to employees’ accounts.
Her response followed criticism from Mutua, who accused the county government of allowing the Machakos People’s Park to deteriorate. Mutua said the condition of the facility was disappointing, arguing that a public investment that once had a strong reputation had been allowed to decline.
However, Wavinya rejected the criticism and accused her predecessor of attempting to revive his political relevance through the controversy. The governor maintained that her administration’s record should be judged by how county resources have been used to improve the lives of Machakos residents.
