Presidential Debate: Organisers Respond To Raila's Decision To Quit
The secretariat revealed that it took note of the position of both the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza coalition regarding the participation in the debate
Marvin Chege 
The presidential debates secretariat has issued a statement after Raila Odinga's Campaign Spokesperson Prof Makau Mutua revealed that the Azimio la Umoja candidate will not attend the debate on Tuesday, July 26.
The secretariat revealed on Sunday, July 24 that it took note of the position of both the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza coalition regarding the participation in the debate, adding that it will still take place at the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) from 4 pm to 10 pm.
It added that it had engaged the campaign teams of the presidential candidates participating in the debate and promised to make it as inclusive as possible to benefit Kenyans.
A look inside the auditorium of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) main campus in Karen, Nairobi ahead of the gubernatorial debate on July 11, 2022. /PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES KENYA
"We continue to engage all stakeholders, including the various presidential campaign teams. We are committed to making the debates as inclusive and representative as possible, for the benefit of the Kenyan people.
"In accordance with the presidential debate guidelines, we have shared the thematic areas with all the candidates and the moderators will endeavour to cover all the said topics within the set timeline," the secretariat stated in part.
It affirmed as per the debate guidelines, the moderators will select the questions to be asked and will not share them with the candidates, nor will they meet with any of the campaign teams or the candidates.
"Once again, we wish to reiterate our commitment to delivering a debate founded on the principles of fairness, integrity, independence and accountability as enshrined in the Presidential Debates Guidelines," added the secretariat.
Mutua had warned that the demand by Deputy President William Ruto to leave out certain issues was against the purpose of the debate.
"That is why he has demanded that the debate not focus on corruption, ethics and governance. These are issues at the core of the Azimio campaign; any debate devoid of these questions will be an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans.
"We plan to take part in a televised town hall at Jericho Social Hall in Nairobi's Eastlands with ordinary Kenyans to offer our solutions to the challenges facing the country and common people," he stated.
Ruto then responded to the move by stating that Raila and his team have no agenda to sell to the people of Kenya.
“They have nothing to sell to Kenyans, therefore they are wondering what they will tell Kenyans during the debate.
"And I want to tell them there is only one plan in Kenya. Our competitors don’t have a plan and that is why they cannot articulate any agenda because they don’t have one," he remarked.
