The much-publicised Presidential Debate is scheduled for today at the auditorium of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and speculation has been rife that the Azimio-One Kenya Coalition Presidential Candidate, Raila Odinga will not attend the debate.
However, sources indicate Odinga might make a surprise appearance despite his earlier hardline stance to boycott the debate.
“There are indications that Azimio Presidential Candidate, Raila Odinga will indeed make it for the Presidential Debate today. However, the sticky issues must be addressed to accord Kenyans the opportunity to critically scrutinise the candidates, especially on matters of integrity.” A source from within the Azimio Secretariat intimated to The Informer.
Odinga’s spokesperson, Makau Mutua, declared on Sunday that he will not take part in the debate in which he was scheduled to appear alongside William Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza Party.
In a statement announcing that Odinga would skip the debate, Mutua charged Ruto with attempting to avoid talking about important topics.
The main existential issues facing Kenya, according to Mutua, are corruption, integrity, ethics and governance.
“Ruto has requested that the discourse not focus on these issues, but any discourse without these inquiries would belittle Kenyans’ intelligence. We do not wish to share a national podium with someone who lacks fundamental decency because of this,” he added.
Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) requested that certain time slots be set aside for important topics like economy and health, but Odinga of Azimio threatened to leave if the debate did not centre on the battle against corruption.
“I want to assure Kenyans that I will attend the debate because I want to explain to Kenyans the plan we have as Kenya Kwanza. On Tuesday I will be at the debate because Kenyans want to make informed choices,” Ruto said.
It was anticipated that today’s event would mark the conclusion of a series of successful discussions pitting running mates against each other ahead of this year’s election.
David Mwaure of the Agano Party and Professor George Wajackoya of the Roots Party will face-off each other in the first-tier session of the debates since they have less than five per cent in the polls, while those with more than five per cent will engage in a second-tier debate.