"I Wondered How He Knew Our Plan" Matatu Owners Reveal Details of Dennis Itumbi’s Phone Call

Fresh details have emerged about behind-the-scenes events that took place before a planned matatu strike, after transport operators revealed that they received a phone call from State House official Dennis Itumbi shortly after concluding a key meeting.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Association of Matatu Transport Owners chairperson Kushian Muchiri said Itumbi personally contacted them and urged the group not to block roads or paralyse transport operations during the planned demonstrations.

According to Muchiri, what shocked many of the operators was the timing of the call. 

He explained that the decision on how the protest would be conducted had just been reached moments earlier during an internal meeting, raising questions among those present about how the information reached the government official so quickly.

“Dennis Itumbi reached out and pleaded with us not to block the roads. I wondered how he knew the plan because we had just concluded our meeting,” Muchiri stated during the television interview.

The revelation has sparked political debate online and among government critics, with some Kenyans questioning the level of communication between State House operatives and transport sector leaders during politically sensitive moments.

The planned strike had reportedly been organised to protest issues affecting matatu operators, including increased operational costs, fuel prices, and concerns over government policies impacting the public transport sector. 

There were fears that the strike could lead to major disruptions in Nairobi and other urban centres if roads were blocked.

However, following engagements between transport leaders and government-linked officials, the situation appeared to cool down before the planned action escalated further.

Dennis Itumbi, who currently serves as the Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination, has remained one of President William Ruto’s close allies and communication strategists. 

Over the years, he has played a major role in digital communication and mobilisation for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

His involvement in discussions surrounding the planned matatu strike has now drawn political attention, especially from opposition figures allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

While speaking during his recent visit to London in the United Kingdom, Gachagua criticised President Ruto’s administration over what he described as the growing influence of bloggers and digital strategists in government affairs.

The former deputy president specifically questioned why Itumbi appeared to be involved in high-level engagements and national issues, despite not holding an elected political office.

Gachagua dismissed Itumbi as “just a blogger” and accused the president of allowing individuals outside formal government structures to influence sensitive national decisions.

The remarks have since intensified the ongoing political rivalry between Gachagua and President Ruto’s allies, with both camps continuing to trade accusations over the management of government affairs and political strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Political analysts say the latest revelations highlight how influential communication teams and informal networks have become in Kenya’s political environment. 

They argue that digital operatives and presidential advisors now play a bigger role in shaping political responses and crisis management than ever before.

At the same time, the matatu sector remains one of the country’s most politically sensitive industries due to its direct impact on millions of commuters every day. 

Any planned strike or disruption often attracts immediate attention from government officials because of the potential economic and social effects.

Kenyans online reacted differently to Muchiri’s claims, with some suggesting that information from the meeting may have leaked quickly through insiders, while others speculated that security agencies closely monitor developments that could affect public order.

Others praised the decision to avoid blocking roads, saying ordinary citizens would have suffered the most if transport operations had been paralysed.

Despite the political controversy generated by the phone call revelation, transport operators maintain that their concerns remain genuine and require urgent government intervention. 

They continue to push for better engagement with authorities on issues affecting the matatu industry, including taxation, fuel prices, and operational regulations.