The 2022 Presidential Debate Secretariat has affirmed that the much-publicised presidential debate slated for tomorrow will take place as scheduled.
This is despite concerns raised after Azimio-One Kenya Coalition presidential candidate, Raila Odinga withdrew from the debate.
Through a statement, the Head of the Secretariat, Clifford Machoka reiterated the debate will be held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa ( CUEA) main campus in Karen from 4.00pm to 10.00pm on Tuesday, 25 July, 2022.
“We reiterate that under presidential debate guidelines, the moderators will select questions to be asked and shall not share the same with the candidates, they will not meet with any of the campaign teams or the candidates beforehand,” stated Machoka.
Five renowned journalists have been selected to host the debate and they are; Smriti Vidyarthi (NTV), Ken Mijungu (KTN News), Yvonne Okwara (Citizen TV), Eric Latiff (Spice FM and KTN News) and Joe Ageyo (NTV).
Kenyans will have a chance to voice their concerns in the upcoming presidential debate by sending questions they want answered via different platforms.
Azimio-One Kenya Presidential Campaign Secretariat indicated that Odinga will not attend the debate but will instead take part in a televised town hall meeting at Jericho Social Hall.
Campaign Secretariat spokesman, Makau Mutua said it was a bad idea for Odinga to share a podium with Deputy President, William Ruto.
Mutua alleged that Ruto had issued directives to the panelists, urging them not to focus on corruption and integrity, two themes that Azimio wished to centre on.
“Our opponent has no regard for ethics, public morals or shame, that is why he has demanded that the debate should not focus on corruption, integrity, ethics and governance – the key existential question that Kenya faces. These issues sit at the core of the Azimio campaign. Any debate devoid of these questions will be an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans,” he said.
Ruto’s UDA party asked for the allocation of dedicated timeslot for key issues including health and economy while Odinga’s Azimio party threatened to pull out if the debate is not anchored on the fight against graft.
“That is why we do not intend to share a national podium with a person who lacks decency. Everything is well known, our opponent traversed the country hurling epithets at us and other key national leaders,” Mutua stated.
Roots Party candidate, George Wajackoyah had also raised concern vowing to boycott the upcoming presidential debate if he will not be given a chance to face the other three candidates.
Wajackoyah questioned the criteria used to arrive at the current formula where the first debate features candidates who have polled less than five percent in three recent opinion polls and the second with candidates who have polled above five percent in the same survey.
The Roots Party leader accused the organisers of the debate of discrimination ahead of the presidential debate.
In an interview with a local television station, Wajackoyah confirmed that he will not participate if he will not be accorded a chance to face off with all the other candidates.
“If you go to Canada, UK, US, China, Singapore, all presidential candidates are put together for people to see their body language, how they answer questions, how they look at each other or how they check the tempers. But these people come in and say this is how it should be, no, I will boycott it,” threatened Wajackoyah.
However, UDA flag-bearer has assured the nation he will attend Tuesday’s presidential debate.
“I want to assure Kenyans, that I will attend the debate because I want to explain to them the plan we have as Kenya Kwanza. On Tuesday, I will be at the debate because Kenyans want to make informed choices,” Ruto said.