Presidential debate to go ahead despite Raila ‘snub’
The Presidential Debate will go on as scheduled despite a threat by Raila Odinga to stay away, organizers have confirmed.
The eagerly awaited debate pits the four presidential contenders namely William Ruto, Raila Odinga, George Wajackoyah, and Wahiga Mwaure.
It is slated for Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Nairobi.
A statement by Clifford Machoka, the Head of the Presidential debate team revealed it will take place at the Catholic University for East Africa (CUEA) main campus in Karen for six hours from 4 pm.
Mr Machoka further explained in accordance with the Presidential Debate guidelines, organizers had shared thematic areas with all the candidates and the moderators will endeavor to cover all the said topics within the set timelines.
As per the guidelines, the moderators are not supposed to meet with any of the presidential candidates or any of the members of the campaign teams until the debate is over.
“Once again, we wish to reiterate our commitment to delivering a debate founded on the principles of fairness, integrity, independence, and accountability as enshrined in the guidelines,”
The move comes a day after Mr Odinga’s campaign team said he will stay away from the debate.
Odinga cited Ruto’s supposed wanting moral standards as his reasons for staying away.
“Our main opponent has proven over the course of his career he will do and say anything in his ungovernable greed for power. Today as his campaign flails and supporters abandon him, he has become more desperate,” read the statement in part.
Odinga’s threat to snub the debate comes after Roots Party presidential candidate George Wajackoyah also called for equal opportunity for all candidates as a condition for him to attend the same debate.
Odinga’s potential snub will likely leave the podium to Ruto for 90 minutes,