Kenyan comedian and entrepreneur Sammy Kioko broke down in tears during a highly emotional interview with Oga Obinna on the popular Obinna Show Live, as he recounted the ordeals caused by an unpaid county government contract.
The interview also featured a surprise intervention from former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who pledged to engage with the Machakos County Governor over Kioko’s plight.
The episode, titled “When Politics Crushes Dreams”, aired on YouTube and quickly went viral across social media platforms.
In the interview, Kioko shared details of what he describes as his “biggest ever” contract — a tender awarded by the Machakos County Government. According to him, after fulfilling all contractual obligations, the county refused to release nearly Sh19 million, claiming the contract was either incomplete or undocumented.
Kioko explained to Oga Obinna that the financial strain had far-reaching consequences, affecting his staff and family.
“Employees are family; they’re hurting with me,” he said.
Obinna and his fans have raised over Ksh221,000 to help with Sammy Kioko’s business partner treatment in India.
He also revealed that his sister, who doubles as his business partner, was critically ill and needed urgent medical care abroad — care that was delayed due to the withheld payment.
As he recounted the ordeal, Kioko became visibly emotional, pausing several times to collect himself.
Around the 1 hour 20 minute mark of the broadcast, he broke down in tears, visibly shaken while talking about the pressure of balancing family, business, and the fight for justice.
His breakdown was raw and unfiltered, revealing the personal cost behind the public figure often seen joking on stage or hosting comedy skits.
“A sister’s life on the line … the unpaid tender drained my savings, forced reliance on friends,” Kioko said through tears.
“Kutoka asubuhi nimekua hapa kwa ofisi ya governor hapa ‘White House’ … imagine I just want to see the governor, but there are people who have made sure I cannot see the governor.”
Comedian Sammy Kioko broke down on @ogaobinnatv Live as he explained how Machakos County Government has made him and his sick business partner suffer greatly as they owe him 19 million Ksh. @brian_aseli @claudia_naisabwa #VibeShiftOnNationFM
The heartfelt moment struck a chord with viewers, who praised Kioko for showing vulnerability — a side rarely seen in the Kenyan entertainment scene, where comedians often mask personal struggles behind humor.
Within hours, fans and supporters flooded social media with messages of encouragement, while some initiated crowdfunding to help Kioko cover personal and business-related expenses.
In a remarkable turn of events, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko joined the conversation via a live phone call. Sonko pledged to intervene by convening with the Machakos County Governor, promising to look into Kioko’s payment dispute.
The call, which occurred around 2 hours 40 minutes into the broadcast, was met with relief and visible emotion from Kioko, who had spent months attempting to secure the money without success.
This marked the first official political intervention in the ongoing matter and elevated the interview from a personal confession to a national story about accountability, governance, and the vulnerability of entrepreneurs working with county governments.
The interview quickly became one of the most discussed moments on Kenyan social media. Viewers lauded Kioko for his transparency and vulnerability, calling the interview “a reminder that even comedians face real-life struggles.”
Many also highlighted the importance of public accountability, applauding Sonko for stepping in and promising direct engagement with Machakos County officials.
While Kioko’s financial woes remain unresolved at the time of the broadcast, the combination of public scrutiny, political involvement, and widespread support has placed increased pressure on the county government to honor its contractual obligations.
The story has sparked discussions on how county governments handle tenders, the importance of timely payments, and the protection of entrepreneurs’ rights.
Kioko’s emotional breakdown and Sonko’s pledge of support transformed what might have been a private grievance into a story resonating across Kenya.
It highlights the human side of entrepreneurship and the risks that creatives take when venturing into business deals with public institutions.
“When you stay silent in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor,” Kioko said, underscoring the personal and ethical stakes of his struggle.