Governor Wavinya and Son: Victims or Villains in the Machakos Graft Scandal?

EACC’s Pursuit: The Shocking Case of Governor Wavinya and Son

The investigation into Governor Wavinya and her son began to unfold after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) interrogated several high-ranking county officials regarding questionable tenders and misuse of public resources. Among those interviewed was County Finance Minister Onesmus Kuyu, who has reportedly provided multiple statements at the Integrity Centre and is believed to be a crucial link between the governor’s office and illicit business activities.

A focal point of the inquiry is Kayleaf Tours and Travel Company Limited, allegedly owned by Charles Oduwole and his associate Osman Salat, also known as Ali. Investigators claim that the company was discreetly established following Wavinya’s assumption of office and has since secured all county travel contracts without competitive bidding.

EACC sources indicate that Kayleaf has been charging the county exorbitant rates for travel, reportedly up to 20 times the market price for tickets. The firm is said to handle travel arrangements for the governor’s family, including private international trips, while receiving public funds for these services. Records suggest that Kuyu received substantial payments for fictitious trips, with Kayleaf generating fraudulent invoices and channeling the funds through elaborate schemes.

The EACC suspects that Kayleaf may also serve as a vehicle for money laundering, as investigators are tracing significant amounts allegedly transferred to international accounts linked to Oduwole under various aliases. The agency believes that the corruption network is so tightly woven that only decisive arrests and asset seizures can reveal the full scope of the embezzlement.

Power Plays: How the Governor’s Son Wields Influence Without an Office

Though Charles Oduwole holds no official title, his influence is everywhere. He operates from a large office beside his mother’s at the White House—the official residence of the governor. He moves in official county vehicles, complete with drivers and security paid by the taxpayer.

Oduwole reportedly controls all Information Technology supplies to the county. This includes the controversial procurement of two key software systems: one for revenue collection and another for the trade ministry. These systems were supplied at inflated costs and are believed to be programmed to divert funds to private accounts in what sources describe as a “sophisticated cyber fraud ring.”

Sources inside the county say the software was designed with deliberate loopholes. The governor and her son allegedly monitor the revenue dashboards in real-time and reroute payments without triggering alerts in the county’s financial system.

Meanwhile, senior officials and whistleblowers have been silenced through threats and intimidation. Only a handful of brave MCAs have dared to question the graft openly.

The Cost of Truth: Whistleblowers Facing Retaliation

A section of Machakos MCAs allied to embattled County Speaker Ann Kiusya has come forward to demand action. They allege that Kiusya is being targeted for impeachment because she has refused to rubber-stamp corruption. The MCAs are now pushing for a full audit of all county expenditures since Wavinya assumed office.

They have raised serious questions about the source of Sh20 million used to mobilize support for recent political rallies hosted by Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Machakos. They want to know if the funds were drawn from public accounts and funneled through shell companies.

The MCAs have also demanded a forensic review of all payments made to companies owned by Salat and those associated with Oduwole. There is growing concern that millions meant for service delivery—roads, hospitals, and water projects—have instead financed foreign trips, luxury lifestyles, and political ambitions.

EACC is now under immense pressure to act. The people of Machakos are watching closely. Civil society groups are also threatening to petition the courts for independent investigations if arrests are delayed.

The scandal has exposed how easily county systems can be hijacked by family networks hiding behind power. With evidence piling up and the public demanding answers, the arrest of Governor Wavinya and her son is no longer a question of if but when.