Robert Alai bashed for defending Kibra MP caught overlapping, insulting Larry Madowo: ‘Takataka’
Kenyans on social media have gone on a rampage, savagely tearing into Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai after he defended Kibra MP Peter Orero and his driver, who were caught on camera overlapping and hurling insults at CNN journalist Larry Madowo.
The now-viral video showed Madowo blocking the legislator’s vehicle after it tried to overlap, prompting a heated confrontation. The driver and the MP are heard spewing insults, including takataka (rubbish), before Madowo calmly tells them to take responsibility for their reckless behaviour.
The clip quickly went viral, with outraged Kenyans saying it perfectly captured the arrogance of some leaders. Memes mocking both Orero and his driver flooded social media, with netizens describing the scene as the epitome of impunity.
While Kenyans were venting, Alai decided to wade into the storm, and it backfired spectacularly.
“You people don’t know the crazy life of a politician moving between constituency matters to the assembly and probably still supposed to even attend some committees elsewhere,” Alai wrote.
“From your hate of politicians, you attack Mwalimu Orero while not even trying to understand what he was going through. You really think representation and oversight is an easy matter? You people need to carefully understand and not fall for the ignorant judgment of politicians by those desperate for attention. I have come to understand some of these things because I live it every day.”
But Kenyans were not having any of it. Alai’s post was met with an avalanche of backlash, with many accusing him of normalising impunity among leaders.
“You can’t call yourself ‘Honourable’ and behave like an imbecile. Pick a lane,” John Ombagi fumed. “MPs make laws, police enforce them. The law allows certain vehicles to drive against traffic, but guess what? ‘MP late for a meeting’ isn’t one of them.”
“Stop making excuses for bad manners and impunity,” wrote @MaryNduiga. “The day starts at midnight. When you’re a leader, you plan your day strategically. Otherwise, this statement doesn’t fly even if you pour Red Bull on it!”
Evans Ochieng’ was equally blunt. “When a leader jumps the queue, overlaps, or drives on the wrong side to beat traffic for an ‘important’ meeting, the least they can do is show courtesy and apologise when caught. Public duty doesn’t exempt one from public order. Orero’s contempt must be called out!”
@Gakumo_Migwi slammed Alai’s defence as “nonsense”, writing, “Everyone is busy – doctors, teachers, drivers, but they still follow rules. Being a politician isn’t a licence to overlap or insult Kenyans as ‘takataka’. Leadership starts with discipline, not entitlement and arrogance. Senji sana!”
Mary Mathenge summed up the frustration, “We all have crazy jobs and schedules, and if we drive on the wrong side, we get arrested. A good watch will be helpful for him. And better manners too. Maybe if we all suffer in traffic, you’ll finally do something about congestion.”
By Saturday morning, Alai’s post had sparked a full-blown online war, with Kenyans telling him off for defending what they termed “primitive leadership conduct” and urging leaders to “walk the talk” on integrity.
