Organisers of the Presidential Debate 2022 have affirmed that the scheduled debates will run uninterrupted despite concerns raised by Deputy President William Ruto who doubles as Kenya Kwanza flagbearer over alleged impartiality by a section of media outlets.
The Media Owners Association, Media Council of Kenya and the Kenya Editors’ Guild insisted they will not withhold the planned debates in July, a month to the August 9 polls.
They have since formed a panel of senior editors from across the media industry to oversee the content aspects, ensuring that the public interest is served and that the debates adhere to the principles of fairness, integrity, independence, and accountability enshrined in the Presidential Debates Guidelines.
“Indeed, for us to take our country forward, it behooves us to work together rather than threaten processes that are important to the country in this regard, the 2022 Kenya Presidential Debates will proceed in July 2022 and we will shortly announce the details on how Kenyans can participate,” they stated.
Through a quick dispatch to newsrooms, the associations noted that debates for presidential candidates had become a tradition of Kenya’s democracy and a regular phenomenon in our electoral cycles.
“The guidelines governing the debates were developed in 2017, tested and validated through various processes, and remain a public document for a country that has so many diverse political voices, debates have become the place for clarity of priorities, public policies, ideas, and other development aspects key to the Kenyan people,” the statement read.
They said the debates play a significant role in enabling electorates choose their leaders wisely since the public gets to listen to the candidates and gauge what their priorities could be once they assume office.
“In that way, they catalyse issue-based elections; provide an opportunity for candidates to debate, interact and engage; and enable Kenyans to make informed decisions. Planning for the 2022 debates has been underway since 202isnd are currently at very advanced stages. Specifically, we have involved various stakeholders, including presidential aspirants – including the WSR Presidential Campaign – to map their expectations,” they added.
“We reassure the public and stakeholders in the electoral process that we will give Kenyans quality issue-based Presidential and Deputy Presidential Debates that will enable their decision making and effective participation in this year’s election,” the statement further read.