News and analysis

Six presidential candidates have threatened to pull out of the TV debate terming the process set to kick off this Monday discriminatory.

Six candidates on Sunday said they will not participate in the presidential debates if organisers pursue a two-tier approach that excludes them.

Apart from Mr Ruto and his National Super Alliance (Nasa) counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka, other running mates are Mr Moses Marango for Mr Joseph Nyaga, Mr Titus N’getuny (Mr Abduba Dida), Mr Emmanuel Nzai (Dr Ekuru Aukot) Ms Miriam Mutua (Mr Michael Wainaina) and Mr Eliud Kariara (Mr Japheth Kavinga).

The deputy president earlier described his learning of the debate schedule as having received a news alert that running mates will debate each other, and he seemed not to be sure if this was true.

In effect, a serious introspection on the part of the media, and a discussion of the issue of trust is important as we approach the 8 August election. In the context of the presidential debates, we may ask ourselves: Are the organisers ‘conmen’? Whose agendas do they seek to advance or push via the

It is all systems go as eight presidential running mates are expected to face off with one another at Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Karen on Monday.

If Ruto misses the debate scheduled for Monday, July 17, from 7.30pm at Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), it will be a big blow for the Debates Media Limited the organisers who are still grappling with the uncertainty of the main presidential debate that was postponed to Monday, July 24.

Yvonne Okwara, Joe Ageyo, both of KTN and Linus Kaikai of NTV have been officially named as the journalists who will moderate the anticipated debate.

Which brings us to Bermuda and the refusal/unwillingness of our leaders to debate. Not only now, but historically.

Common wisdom states that debates rarely sway the audience from their preferred choice but in a country like Kenya, they provide the closest thing to a level playing field for aspirants who lack the clout to enjoy dedicated media coverage.

That is why, on the day of the presidential debate, I recommend that the President go and campaign in Bondo instead of wasting his and our time taking part in this borrowed charade. And there are many other reasons why he shouldn’t participate.

Whatever the case, the debates are important platforms for public determination of the candidates’ understanding of issues, their grasp of policy, and ability to articulate their positions or views on important matters.