“With All Due Respect”: Who Is Kennedy Kaunda? Man Who Interrupted CS Wandayi and Chirchir’s Press Briefing
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Kennedy Kaunda is the Group CEO of the East Africa Tour Guides & Drivers Association (EATGDA), an organisation that brings together tour guides and drivers across East Africa.
He became widely known in Kenya after speaking during the nationwide transport protests caused by high fuel prices in May 2026.
Following his comments during the fuel protest talks, Kaunda became one of the top trending personalities on Kenyan social media.
Many Kenyans shared clips and memes of his famous phrase, “with all due respect,” which he repeated several times during interviews.
His firm response made him one of the most talked-about figures during the nationwide strike.
How Kennedy Kaunda Became Famous During Fuel Price Protests
Kaunda became the centre of attention on Monday, May 18, 2026, after he publicly disagreed with Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi during a live media briefing.
After a meeting between government officials and transport sector leaders, Wandayi announced that they had reached an agreement to end the matatu strike after fuel prices were reduced by Ksh 10.
However, Kaunda quickly said there was no agreement and that the strike was still on.
During a TV interview later that morning, he explained that transport stakeholders had talked with government officials for five hours but had not accepted the government’s offer.
“With all due respect, we had not agreed,” Kaunda said during the interview.
His statement quickly went viral online, with many Kenyans praising him for speaking honestly.
Also Read: EPRA Revises Fuel Prices After Protests
His Role at EATGDA
As CEO of EATGDA, Kaunda leads the association’s operations and represents the interests of tour guides and drivers across East Africa.
The association works to:
- Improve tourism services
- Promote training and certification for guides and drivers
- Protect qualified workers in the tourism sector
- Push for better regulations in the industry
Also Read: Nairobi Police Boss Arrested for Releasing Fuel Protest Suspects
Kaunda also works with county governments to promote local tourism and create job opportunities for young people.
Kaunda has been vocal about improving standards in the tourism industry. He supports stronger rules to remove unqualified operators and protect professional tour guides and drivers.
He has also worked with the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) and other government agencies to improve the sector.
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Matatus and buses are parked at the terminals in Nairobi. PHOTO/The Star