Raila Could Escape Elections After Abandoning Presidential Debate- Ruto

Ruto added that with the continued backing away from the debate by the Azimio team, they could develop the habit of skipping even the August 9 general elections

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jul 25, 2022 - 14:54 Updated: Jul 25, 2022 - 14:56
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Deputy President William Ruto has begged Azimio la Umoja coalition presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, to man up and face him during the presidential debate on Tuesday, July 26.

To enable him to prepare for arguably the biggest duel of the debate series, the second-in-command announced, through his digital strategist, Dennis Itumbi, that he has cancelled all rallies he planned for Tuesday.

He was slated to take his campaigns to Baringo, Nakuru and Nyandarua counties but will not do so for purposes of preparing for the highly-anticipated debate.

DP William Ruto speaking on Monday, July 25, 2022, during his campaign trail in Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties. /FILE

“Ruto cancels all rallies scheduled for Tomorrow, Tuesday, 26th July 2022. To enable him to prepare for the Presidential Debate," Itumbi wrote on social media.

Speaking in West Pokot County on Monday, July 25, Ruto advised Raila's campaign team to reconsider their decision to pull out of the debate and allow the Prime Minister to show up at the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) campus in Karen, Nairobi to face him head-on.

"I want to tell the Azimio team to bring their captain to the debate. Kenyans want to know what 'tibim' and 'tialala' mean, even if he doesn't have any other agenda to say.

"I will show up to that debate early tomorrow because I have an agenda and a plan. Convince your captain Mr kitendawili to show up for the debate tomorrow," he urged.

Ruto added that with the continued backing away from the debate by the Azimio team, they could develop the habit of skipping even the August 9 general elections, citing a 2017 eventuality where Raila pulled out of the repeat elections won by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto, almost unopposed.

Meanwhile, the presidential debates 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 CUEA from 4 pm to 10 pm.

"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.

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

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