Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has dismissed reports claiming she was arrested in the United Kingdom for allegedly carrying Sh679 million. In a statement released on Monday, September 9, Ndeti strongly rejected the rumors, describing them as “baseless” and accusing their spreaders of defamation and misuse of digital media.
“It is demeaning and an insult to the intelligence of the people of Machakos and Kenya to suggest that I would smuggle hundreds of millions of shillings to the UK and that I have been detained,” Ndeti stated. She pointed out the thoroughness of UK Customs, Border Control, and Financial Institutions, emphasizing the implausibility of such claims.
The governor assured her supporters that both she and her family were safe and sound, unaffected by the rumors. “I confirm that my family and I remain in good standing both home and abroad,” Ndeti added.
Ndeti also rejected attempts to distract her from her duties, citing the progress her administration has made. “My administration is closing in on nearly 1,000 projects, and in the Financial Year 2023/2024, we collected Sh1.7 billion in own-source revenue—the highest ever in Machakos since devolution began.”
She further vowed to pursue legal action against the individuals behind the fake news, urging them to provide evidence to support their claims. The governor expressed deep concern over the safety of her family, stating that the malicious misinformation had endangered their lives. “Let the authors of this narrative be warned that should anything happen to any member of my family or myself, you shall be held personally responsible,” she stated.
The rumors had gained traction on social media on Sunday, September 8, alleging that Ndeti had been detained in the UK while attempting to deposit the money at UK banks.