Kennedy Kaunda, the man behind the viral ‘with all due respect’ phrase during the nationwide fuel protests, has cleared the air about receiving a bribe to end the protests.
According to Kaunda, the allegations against him, stating that he received a brown envelope from government officials, have no evidence to support the accusation.
He further clarified that during the protest discussions, he was representing the public, not the matatu owners.
Government officials, the transport operators, and those present during the discussion on ending the nationwide protest had concluded the meeting when Kaunda arrived, according to him.
However, Kaunda noted that he had not accepted any bribe under any circumstances, unless the stakeholders present during the strike had received payment.
“I want to assure the citizens the has been no envelope that I have received, if the envelope was handed to EPRA and the rest, because we were many, and the stakeholders who own vehicles are the only ones who can say,” Kaunda explained during a TV interview.
Kaunda affirmed that, as a representative of the people, he was ready to take a Christian vow to prove that he had not received any bribes.
Also Read: Matatu Strike Called Off with Immediate Effect
Kennedy Kaunda on Reasons For Halting Fuel Protests
Citing his lack of a stake in the transport sector, Kaunda argued that the end of the protest was also affecting the tourism sector.
“What touched me on Tuesday was the discussion which they had already concluded, because in that room there are those who own matatus, not us,” Kennedy Kaunda stated.
Additionally, he added that the matatu owners had agreed to bring the protests to a halt, that the matatu owners had already made the decision, and that they were the primary sector affected by the fuel price hikes.
The tourism operators are said to have set the tourism prices six months before the fuel hike, and the current prices are a disadvantage to the sector, according to Kaunda.
Further, Kaunda emphasized that if the protests continued, his income, as well as that of others in the tourism sector, would be affected.
As the tourism sector is hitting the peak season, Kennedy stated that tourists have started canceling their scheduled tourist visits due to the protests.
Also Read: EPRA Announces New Fuel Prices After Countrywide Protests
Protest Discussion and Outcome
During the Tuesday discussion, Kaunda clarified that he, together with those present, had demanded that the fuel prices be reduced to KSh 34 to 30.
Additionally, a seven-day goodwill was issued with the government officials committing themselves to the reduction of the fuel prices by KSh 10.
Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja was the official guarantor during the officiating of the halting of the protest for seven days.
Kennedy, however, reaffirmed that, despite agreeing to halt the nationwide fuel protests after 7 days, the public will return to protesting.
Failure to meet the demands for a fuel price reduction, Kaunda is calling upon Kenyans to remain calm as they await the official announcement on the protests after the set deadline.
