NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 20- A section of Kenyans took to social media to lament over what they claimed was a poor second-tier debate, pitting the leading presidential running mates in the country.
Those who complained accused the moderators, James Smart of NTV and Sophia Wanuna of failing to address the ‘real issues’ facing Kenyans.
The debate was between Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance presidential running mate Martha Karua and Rigathi Gachagua of Kenya Kwanza.
Karua is deputizing Raila Odinga while Gachagua is the running mate to Deputy President William Ruto.
Those who were dissatisfied included Dennis Onyango, who is the Communications Director, of Raila Odinga secretariat.
In a Tweet, Onyango said the debate failed the tests of quality, dismissing it as “very shoddy, very showbiz.”
Without divulging further details, in the Tweet in which he had tagged the Media Council of Kenya, he said, “If this is it, don’t be too sure.”
In a subsequent Tweet, Onyango wondered why Gachagua made a last-minute about-turn, after threatening that he would not attend the debate.
Gachagua alongside DP Ruto has accused a section of media houses in Kenya of being biased.
“Why did Rigathi Gachagua show up?” he asked.
He further wondered why Gachagua was not put to task for the claims.
“How deep is this conspiracy in the Media Council of Kenya?” he asked.
Others like Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi said the debate was conducted well.
Abdullahi is seen as a close ally of the Deputy President.
Freelance journalist Wanja Gathu said it was “painful watching the debate” due to the failure of the moderators to ask the right questions.
Nandi Senator Kiprotich Arap Cheragei said the Tuesday evening debate was “about pedestrian gossip and mudslinging.”
The debate lasted for 2 hours and was watched by millions of Kenyans across the country.
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