Presidential Debate: Why Raila Odinga Could Boycott Event

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul, 24 – Millions of Kenyans are eagerly waiting for the 2022 presidential debate that will see Azimio la Umoja -One Kenya Alliance’s candidate Raila Odinga square it off with United Democratic Alliance – Kenya Kwanza candidate Dr. William Ruto.

With just two days to the mega event between two political juggernauts and ideological nemeses, the debate now hangs on a thread after Odinga hinted that he could boycott the event entirely.

In a statement the spokesperson of the Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat Professor Makau Mutua said that the former premier had reservations on sharing a podium with the deputy president, accusing him of dictating the type of questions that should be directed to him.

Instead, the Azimio flag bearer has hinted at conducting a town hall meeting with his running mate Martha Karua at the Jericho Social Hall in Nairobi.

“Our flag-bearer Rt Hon Raila Odinga and his running mate, Hon Martha Karua, will answer questions put to them by the people of Kenya openly, honestly, and free from what would otherwise be nothing more than empty self-serving political theater,” said Mutua.

The debate is slated to be held on Tuesday next week.

Makau accused Ruto of demanding from the moderators of the debate to refrain from allegedly focusing on corruption, integrity, ethics, and governance issues, which form the basis of the Azimio La Umoja political blueprint core of maters to remedy Kenya’s problems.

“He is a man who has no regard for ethics, public morals, or shame. That is why we do not intend to share a national podium with a person who lacks basic decency. It would be a colossal mistake to reward such a person with a national debate. We will not help his failing campaign. He can explain himself and his poor record to voters without our help,” he said.

They further termed the structure of the debate allowing opposing candidates to share a podium on stage as a bad idea this year.

“Simply put, our main opponent has proven over the course of his career that he will do and say anything in his ungovernable greed for power. As is well known, our opponent has traversed the country hurling epithets at us and other key national leaders, including vile sexist attacks,” he said.

As the debate date approaches, the organizers of the critical discourse hope to resolve the matter before then, giving Kenyans an opportunity to hear directly the candidate’s vision for the country.