Roots Party presidential candidate George Wajackoyah maintains that he will not attend Tuesday’s presidential debate unless he shares a podium with all the candidates.
In a press statement on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, the Roots Party says its candidate will be a no-show in the debate that is set to take place at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
![Roots Party Presidential Candidate Prof. George Wajackoyah. File: [Courtesy]](https://news.switchtv.ke/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wawawawkya.webp)
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at Switch TV
The party said they will not attend the presidential debate as they will not subject the incoming president to the ‘joke’ of an already predetermined debate.
“The notion that some candidates are trailing others or some are leading others is baseless.”
“We refuse to be counted as hers’ in this important democratic duty of seeking the presidency,” the party’s statement read.
Through Party Spokesperson Wilson Muirani, Wajackoyah further said that the Presidential Debates organizers had not addressed concerns that he had brought to their attention in a letter dated July 21.
“We would like to, however, state that our candidate is available to share the same podium with all the four presidential candidates as we define our agenda for all Kenyans,” Roots Party concluded.
Wajackoyah’s statement, however, comes just a few days after Azimio La Umoja Spokesman Makau Mutua hinted that their Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga will not share the same podium with Dp William Ruto.
On Sunday morning, Azimio spokesman Makau Mutua said in a statement that the coalition noted that having the candidates-DP William Ruto and Raila-on the same platform this year would be a bad idea.
Mutua claimed Ruto had issued his reservations, telling the moderators not to focus on corruption and integrity—issues which Azimio wanted to take center stage.
“Our opponent has no regard for ethics, public morals, or shame.”
“That is why he has demanded that the debate not focus on corruption, integrity, ethics, and governance—the key existential question that Kenya faces.” These issues sit at the core of the Azimio campaign. “
“Any debate devoid of these questions will be an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans,” he said.
“That is why we do not intend to share a national podium with a person who lacks decency. As is well known, our opponent traversed the country hurling epithets at us and other key national leaders, including vile, sexist attacks. “
Instead, Mutua said, Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua plan to hold a televised town hall to explain to Kenyans the Azimio agenda.
