News and analysis

Labour Party (PL) deputy leader hopefuls took part in a tame debate this morning on the party’s radio station in the run-up to the election that will be taking place this Thursday.

However, the judge gave media houses the green light to hold the debate and said candidates will have to abide by the rules set if they are to appear.

Both statesmen have threatened to boycott the first televised Presidential Debate under the 2010 Constitution, denying the largest number of registered voters in the history of Kenyan electioneering the chance to see them think on their feet and address the burning issues of the day.

While it is true the debate may have no impact on the voting pattern, it provides Kenyans with an opportunity to interrogate the two leaders' policies, especially on emotive issues such as land. This can be done in a conducive environment where conclusive and exhaustive responses can be sought.

Consequently, the first debate for presidential candidates that was scheduled for Monday the 10th of July has now been moved to Monday the 24th of July, 2017.

The Opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, now says he will participate in a televised debate against Jubilee Party’s Uhuru Kenyatta that was slated for Monday, July 10 but postponed to July 24.

The first debate for presidential candidates that was scheduled for Monday 10th has now been moved to Monday 24th of July.

The much hyped Presidential debate has been pushed to another date after two major candidates withdrew and following a court announcement over the same.

This means all the presidential candidates will be featured on one day, not two, as earlier planned.

Jubilee Party secretary general Raphael Tuju has said the party pulled out of the presidential debate as the organisers are "arrogant and disorganised".

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and his main rival Raila Odinga have pulled out of two televised presidential debates ahead of the August 8 elections, their parties said.

- President Uhuru Kenyatta's camp announced he will not participate in the upcoming presidential debates