Kennedy Kaunda, the CEO of the East Africa Tour Guides and Drivers Association (EATGDA), has claimed he has received threats following his recent remarks on the suspension of the nationwide transport strike over rising fuel prices.
Speaking during an interview with a local radio station, Kaunda alleged that he had received threats and warnings after publicly distancing himself from claims that transport stakeholders had fully agreed to suspend the strike.
Kaunda said unknown individuals allegedly followed him on a motorbike and later confronted him near his home.
“Actually the day before yesterday three guys followed me with a motorbike and I was walking down towards my home. They came and they turned and told me, ‘We mzee tumekuona,’ then they left. It was around 7.30,” he said in an interview with Spice FM.
He further claimed that his wife had also received calls warning him to tone down his remarks.
“Others called my wife and told her that she should speak to me. They told her that, ‘This man of yours is bigheaded, kindly speak to him to tone down’,” he added.
Kaunda said the incidents had forced him to become more cautious when speaking publicly.
“I’ve been told I’m an embarrassment and that I should watch my words before speaking. Sometimes I now have to be very careful because you are speaking against the authorities. I confronted people we entrusted with power. Some say I broke protocol and embarrassed certain people, while others are supporting and commending me for what I did,” he said.
The transport sector official recently gained national attention after publicly contradicting government officials during a joint press briefing involving Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi and Transport CS Davis Chirchir over the suspension of the transport strike.
During the briefing, Kaunda stated, “With all due respect, we have not agreed. The strike is still on,” remarks that quickly went viral online.
The nationwide matatu strike was later suspended until at least May 26 to allow further negotiations between the government and transport sector stakeholders over rising fuel prices and taxation.
Transport unions have since resumed operations but warned that industrial action could resume if talks fail to produce a lasting solution.
