Inside Rigathi Gachagua's Grand Showdown Against Martha Karua

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential running mate, Rigathi Gachagua was spotted on Monday, July 18 at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) campus in Karen, Nairobi, the venue of tonight's Deputy Presidential Debate.

The head of the Presidential Debate Secretariat, Clifford Machoka, told the media that Gachagua would face off against his opponent of the Azimio la Umoja coalition, Martha Karua on Tuesday, July 19.

The Mathira MP had made an impromptu visit to the venue where he was briefed on ground rules by the presidential debate team.

UDA presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua at CUEA campus ahead of the Deputy Presidential Debate set for July 19, 2022. /PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES KENYA

Gachagua and Karua will no doubt be the main highlight of the highly-anticipated debate, with the two categorised in the second phase; as candidates with a popularity of above 5 per cent in three recent opinion polls. 

The first session however will feature candidates with a popularity of below 5 per cent in three recent opinion polls. This is where Agano party's running mate Ruth Mutua and George Wajackoyah's running mate Justina Wamae will do battle.

It will be moderated by journalists Linda Alela of TV47 and John Jacob Kioria of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).

Sophia Wanuna of KTN and James Smart of NTV will moderate the second whilst Citizen TV prime time news anchor, Trevor Ombija, will moderate panel discussions for both debates.

"The first debate will run from 6.00 pm and end at 7.30 pm while the second debate will go on air at 8.00 pm and end at 9.30 pm," read the debate secretariat's statement in part.

Gachagua has notably been absent in recent UDA campaigns as his boss, Deputy President William Ruto has been going round in campaigns across Nairobi County.

On Friday, July 15, WSR Presidential Secretariat Director of Communications, Hussein Mohamed, had stated that whilst his team had advised Ruto and Gachagua to skip the debates, it was up to the candidates to make the final decision.

"On the matter of the Presidential Debate, I think we made a statement on that earlier. Whether or not the candidate or his running mate will appear is a matter that now firmly rests with them," he said.