Alai urges Wandayi to get professional communicators after chaotic live presser
By Mustafa Juma, May 19, 2026Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has criticised Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi following a chaotic press briefing that exposed sharp disagreements between the government and transport sector stakeholders over the ongoing nationwide fuel strike.
The clash unfolded publicly on Monday, May 18, 2026, shortly after talks between government officials and transport operators ended without a clear consensus on fuel pricing concerns.
Reacting to the tense media briefing, Alai, in a statement shared via his official X account on the night of Monday, May 18, 2026, faulted the government’s communication strategy and urged officials to seek professional help in handling public messaging.
“Experts, don’t be mean. Employ professional communicators or get agencies. Stop being careless. What nonsense is this?” Alai stated.
Press conference descends into disagreement
The tension became evident moments after CS Wandayi addressed journalists and attempted to explain the outcome of the discussions held with transport stakeholders.
However, one of the matatu sector representatives openly contradicted the Cabinet Secretary during the live briefing, insisting that no meaningful agreement had been reached.
“With all due respect, we have not agreed on anything,” the representative said angrily while addressing the media.
The official further accused the government of failing to address the core issue affecting transport operators and drivers, particularly the high cost of fuel.
Demand for fuel relief
The matatu representative claimed the government had the capacity to provide the Ksh46 relief that transport stakeholders had demanded.
“We know very well that the Ministry of Energy could do something to give us Ksh46, which they say they do not have. The government has a lot of pockets and can get this Ksh46 we are looking for,” he stated.
The remarks highlighted growing frustration within the transport sector despite government efforts to lower diesel prices through a fresh EPRA addendum announced earlier in the night.
Wandayi defends government position
During the same briefing, Wandayi defended the government’s approach and explained that part of the discussions focused on addressing the risk of fuel adulteration caused by the widening gap between diesel and kerosene prices.
“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,” Wandayi said.
The government later announced a reduction in diesel prices by Ksh10.06 per litre, although the move was immediately rejected by sections of the transport sector and the Motorists Association of Kenya.
Fuel crisis deepens tensions
The public fallout during the press conference reflects growing tensions between the government and transport operators as the nationwide strike continues to disrupt movement and economic activity across the country.
Transport stakeholders maintain that the measures announced by the government are insufficient and have vowed to continue pushing for broader fuel price relief and tax reforms.
The dramatic exchange has since triggered widespread online debate, with critics accusing the government of poor crisis management and ineffective public communication during one of the country’s most significant transport shutdowns in recent years.