Who Is Kennedy Kaunda? Man Behind Viral ‘With All Due Respect’ Takedown That Left Cabinet Secretaries Speechless
Until Monday afternoon, few Kenyans beyond the tourism and transport sectors knew the name Kennedy Kaunda.
But within hours, the East Africa Tour Guides and Drivers Association (EATGDA) CEO had become one of the country’s most talked-about figures after a dramatic press conference confrontation with senior government officials triggered a nationwide social media frenzy.
Kaunda shot to instant prominence following tense negotiations over the ongoing fuel price crisis and a looming nationwide transport strike, where his calm but blunt rejection of government claims stunned viewers and rapidly went viral online.
The now-famous moment unfolded after a closed-door meeting chaired by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.
The high-stakes talks brought together transport stakeholders and government officials seeking to avert escalating protests over soaring fuel costs that have intensified pressure on businesses and ordinary Kenyans alike.
After nearly five hours of deliberations, Wandayi appeared to suggest that progress had been made, particularly on concerns surrounding fuel adulteration linked to the widening price gap between diesel and kerosene.
However, before the briefing could conclude, transport sector representatives interrupted the government narrative — insisting no agreement had been reached.
Standing before television cameras, Kaunda calmly dismantled the impression that a breakthrough had been secured.
“With all due respect, we respect everyone here; we did not come to set anybody up. We are law-abiding citizens. So there’s no deal. The strike is still on.”
The statement instantly transformed the atmosphere inside the room.
Television footage captured an awkward silence as Cabinet Secretaries Wandayi and Chirchir stood motionless while Kaunda directly contradicted the government’s position in front of the nation.
For many Kenyans watching live broadcasts and viral clips online, the moment symbolised an unusually bold public challenge to powerful state officials.
Within minutes, videos of the exchange exploded across social media platforms, with thousands praising Kaunda for what they described as honesty, composure, and courage during a politically sensitive national debate.
The phrase “with all due respect” quickly became Kenya’s latest viral catchphrase, spawning memes, parody videos, remixes, and endless online commentary.
But beyond the humour, many Kenyans said Kaunda’s remarks resonated because they reflected the frustrations of citizens struggling with rising fuel prices and the growing cost of living crisis.
According to Kaunda, transport stakeholders had pushed for diesel price reductions of between Sh30 and Sh35 per litre, arguing that anything less would fail to ease the financial burden facing operators and consumers.
The government, however, reportedly proposed a significantly lower reduction of around Sh10 following consultations with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Kaunda later clarified that stakeholders believed the discussions were still ongoing and subject to further consultation before any public announcement could be made.
“That is what forced me to speak,” he explained after the meeting.
“There was an impression being created that everything had been resolved yet discussions were still ongoing.”
Although many Kenyans initially assumed Kaunda was part of the matatu sector leadership, he actually represents a different arm of the transport industry.
His organisation, the East Africa Tour Guides and Drivers Association, is a professional body representing tour guides, naturalists, and driver-guides operating across Kenya and the wider East African region.
The association advocates for improved welfare, certification, and professional recognition within the tourism transport industry and works closely with institutions including the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Tourism Regulatory Authority.
While EATGDA is not directly affiliated with matatu lobby groups such as the Matatu Owners Association, tourism transport providers have also been heavily affected by rising fuel costs, prompting Kaunda’s involvement in the negotiations.
Observers noted that his intervention fundamentally changed public understanding of the talks by making it clear that no final agreement had been reached.
By Tuesday morning, Kenyans had already elevated Kaunda into an unlikely online sensation.
Social media users described him as fearless, composed, and “a man who stood on business,” while others jokingly declared him “the new voice of wananchi.”
Older clips of Kaunda speaking during previous industry meetings also resurfaced online, with many noting that his confidence and direct communication style long predated his sudden fame.
For supporters, however, the viral moment represented something bigger than internet comedy.
Many viewed Kaunda’s remarks as a rare example of someone respectfully but firmly “speaking truth to power” at a time when public frustration over economic hardship continues to grow.
What began as an ordinary government press briefing ultimately transformed an obscure tourism sector official into a national viral sensation overnight — all because of four unforgettable words delivered “with all due respect.”
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