A secret web of corruption is closing in on Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti and her son Charles Oduwole.
Investigators from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) are building a strong case that could result in the arrest of the two individuals in the coming days over massive graft linked to inflated contracts, single-sourced tenders, money laundering, and the misuse of public funds.
Behind the scenes, sources reveal a high-stakes plot to hold them accountable for years of looting and shadowy dealings hidden behind official titles and family ties.
How EACC Is Closing In to Arrest Governor Wavinya and Son
The plot to arrest Governor Wavinya and her son started taking shape after EACC sleuths grilled several senior county officials over suspicious tenders and blatant abuse of public resources. Among those questioned is County Finance Minister Onesmus Kuyu, who has reportedly recorded multiple statements at Integrity Centre. Kuyu is said to be a key link between the governor’s office and shady business dealings.
Central to the investigations is Kayleaf Tours and Travel Company Limited, a firm alleged to be owned by Charles Oduwole and a close associate, Osman Salat, also known as Ali. The company, investigators say, was quietly registered after Wavinya took office and has since monopolized all travel contracts for the county—without competitive bidding.
Sources inside EACC confirm that Kayleaf has been charging the county up to 20 times the market rate for tickets. The firm reportedly processes travel for the governor’s family, including private trips abroad, yet receives public funds for the same. Records indicate Kuyu was paid millions for nonexistent trips, with Kayleaf issuing fake invoices and diverting the money through carefully orchestrated channels.
EACC suspects the company is also a front for money laundering. Investigators are tracking large sums allegedly wired to international accounts owned by Oduwole under various names. The agency believes this graft network is so tight and coordinated that only aggressive arrests and asset seizures will expose the full extent of the theft.
Governor’s Son Enjoys Power Without Office as County Bleeds
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.
Whistleblowers Targeted as Pressure Mounts for Accountability
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.
