“With all due respect…” Tourist Guide Boss Boldly Rejects Fuel Deal
A high-stakes meeting aimed at resolving Kenya’s ongoing matatu strike took a dramatic turn when a transport sector representative delivered a fearless public rejection of the government’s proposals.
Kennedy Kaunda, Group CEO of the Tourist Guide Association, stood firm during the late-night talks convened by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Transport CS Davis Chirchir. His straightforward intervention left the two ministers visibly uncomfortable and brought the discussions to an abrupt, awkward end.
The government had offered a Ksh10 reduction in diesel prices along with measures to narrow the gap between diesel and kerosene to curb fuel adulteration. However, Kaunda made it clear that the stakeholders were not satisfied, insisting that only deeper cuts would end the industrial action. With the cameras rolling, he declared that no agreement had been reached and emphasized that the strike would continue, using the now-famous phrase “With all due respect” to frame his candid remarks
The bold stance caught the ministers off guard, with Wandayi appearing particularly embarrassed as the matatu owners challenged them to be honest with the public. What was meant to be a breakthrough session dissolved into disarray, highlighting the deep frustration within the transport sector over the recent fuel price adjustments. Kaunda stressed that the group had come in good faith as law-abiding citizens seeking genuine solutions.
Social media quickly erupted with praise for Kaunda’s courage, with many Kenyans hailing him as a hero for speaking truth to power. As the strike enters its second day, thousands of commuters remain stranded and businesses continue to suffer. This latest development adds pressure on the government to find a meaningful resolution to the fuel crisis that has gripped the nation.
