Raila Odinga has withdrawn from the Presidential Debate ahead of the General Election, which is only weeks away. The debate is set to take place on Tuesday, July 26.
Raila cited a failure to addressing of the major issues facing the nation during the debate and his opponent using the forum for ulterior motives, as the reason for his no-show decision.
In a press statement this July 24, Raila Odinga’s Campaign Spokesperson Prof Makau Mutua, explains the demand by the UDA candidate William Ruto to have certain issues left out during debate as biased and a failure of the debate’s agenda.
The Azimio team is now opting for a televised town hall at Jericho Social Hall in Nairobi’s Eastland with ordinary Kenyans to offer our solutions to the challenges facing the country and common people.
Mutua further explained that Raila and running mate Martha Karua participating in the debate would only be campaigning for the Kenya Kwanza candidate.
He said, “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.”
Reiterating that attending such a debate would be a colossal mistake of rewarding such a person with a national debate.
Explaining that as the Azimio coalition they will not assist the opponent’s failing campaign instead he can explain himself and his poor record to voters without our help.
According to Raila Odinga’s presidential secretariat, he cannot debate with William Ruto since they allege he is just greedy for power and has no regard for ethics, public morals, or shame.
Kenyans on Twitter have however questioned the move by Azimio presidential candidate asking whether it could be related to the unexpected Martha and Rigathi debate or being afraid hence opting for purporting to set up its own debate.
