Nairobi News

NewsWhat's Hot

Raila pulls out of presidential debate hours after Uhuru


The National Super Alliance (Nasa) presidential candidate Raila Odinga has pulled out of the presidential debate set to take place on July 10.

Mr Odinga made the move hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that he does not plan to attend.

In a press statement Nasa chief publicist Salim Lone said Mr Odinga will not be present due to current proposed format and stipulation.

Mr Odinga becomes the second presidential candidate to excuse themselves from the much anticipated debate after President Kenyatta, through the Jubilee Party secretary general Raphel Tuju, announced that he will not be participating in the debate due to lack of communication between the organizers and State House.

BIASED COVERAGE

However, the Nasa Presidential Campaign Secretariat has urged President Kenyatta to be open to debating Raila Odinga on the issues affecting Kenyans in the present circumstances.

Mr Lone has also faulted local media houses for biased coverage of politics in the country.

Related stories:

Uhuru to snub presidential debate

EXCLUSIVE: Why Uhuru ‘plans to skip’ presidential debates

Uhuru, Raila set to face off in presidential debate

Mr Lone made the comments on Monday night while appearing on NTV during Press Pass where he accused media owners of having interest that may affect how information and news is delivered to the people.

“I believe the media all over the world has biases, it’s almost understandable because as owners they have interests. But clearly the media is at the heart of democracy. If it does not own the whole reasonable objective, not a hundred percent then there is a problem,” Mr Lone said.