Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi had stepped before cameras alongside Transport CS Davis Chirchir appearing confident that progress had been made.

📻 Breaking It Down

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 19 — What was meant to be a carefully choreographed government announcement on the fuel crisis descended into an awkward public fallout Monday night after a matatu sector representative bluntly contradicted Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi and Davis Chirchir live on camera, declaring: “With all due respect… there’s no deal.”

The dramatic moment unfolded at Transcom House in Nairobi following hours of closed-door talks between government officials and transport stakeholders over soaring fuel prices that triggered a nationwide matatu strike.

Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi had stepped before cameras alongside Transport CS Davis Chirchir appearing confident that progress had been made.

📌 What You Need to Know

Wandayi said the discussions had centred on concerns over fuel adulteration caused by the widening gap between diesel and kerosene prices.

“One of these issues was the matter of possible adulteration of diesel due to the huge disparity in the prices of diesel and kerosene,” Wandayi said.

“We have come to the understanding that for prudence purposes and to eliminate the risk of fuel adulteration on account of this huge disparity and to save the motor vehicles operating using diesel from possible malfunction, we are going to bridge the gap between the prices of diesel and petrol.”

“That would mean that the price of kerosene would have to go higher as that of diesel comes lower to bridge that gap,” he added.

But before the ministers could exit the briefing, officials from the Matatu Owners Association abruptly interjected, rejecting any suggestion that an agreement had been reached.

In a moment that has since gone viral online, Kennedy Kaunda, Group CEO of the Tourist Guide Association, calmly but firmly challenged the government’s version of events.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya