Kenya

Kenyans have taken to social media to attack President Uhuru Kenyatta for missing the highly anticipated debate.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was slammed by Kenyans on Facebook during his engagement with the masses through a Live video.

Deputy President William Ruto did not attend the presidential debate for running mates at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, where he was to face National Super Alliance (Nasa) Flag-bearer Raila Odinga’s running mate Kalonzo Musyoka at 8:30pm.

Live TV debates for political office aspirants are becoming standard fare in the election cycle. Kenyans want to know what their leaders sound like and whether they can stand up to personal scrutiny required of public office.

By avoiding the debate they knew definitely NASA would play into their card- reason, they simply needed to deny NASA the golden opportunity to influence the minds of the many undecided voters who are critical.

Kikuyu Member of Parlianment, Kimani Ichungwa will not represent Deputy President William Ruto in the Presidential running mate debate as it was reported by a cross section of the Kenyan media earlier.

Deputy President William Ruto and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka failed to show up for the first ever presidential running mates debate

In an exclusive interview with Capital FM on Thursday morning, the DP said the Jubilee Party had not been adequately engaged apart from receiving letters of invitation to attend the debates.

State House has outlined reasons why President Uhuru Kenyatta refused to debate Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Contrary to the excuses offered, both camps were fully apprised of the debate by the organisers. Their campaign secretariats were briefed on the proposed dates, the debate format and the ground rules.

At the very least, we need to persuade the major presidential candidates to agree to face-to-face televised debates.

Televised pre-election debates are a new concept in Africa. Kenya held its first ever debate for the 2013 presidential hopefuls, but it was just that; a show that provided temporary entertainment. It did not add value to the quality of the campaigns; neither did it occasion any discernible shift in