Stage set for presidential debate

The stage is set for the eight presidential candidates in next month’s General Election to face off in an highly anticipated televised debate on Monday as they seek to impress millions of Kenyans with only 14 days to the polls.

The eight include President Uhuru Kenyatta of Jubilee Party, NASA’s Raila Odinga, Cyrus Jirongo of the United Democratic Party, Ekuru Aukot of Thirdway Alliance, Abduba Dida of the Alliance for Real Change and Independent candidates Joseph Nyagah, Michael Wainaina and Japheth Kavinga.

Meanwhile, NASA principal Musalia Mudavadi says that the opposition outfit is set to meet to decide whether its presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga will participate in the debate that will be held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi.

According to the schedule, the first of the two -tier debate will feature six presidential candidates from 5.30pm, while the second part will pit the leading contenders President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga at 8pm.

President Kenyatta had however on Wednesday, July 5, said he would not take part in the televised debate, which was originally slated for July 10, saying that his office had not been consulted by the debate organizers.

Nonetheless, the Head of State is under pressure from his supporters who urged to attend the debate during his Sunday Facebook Live chat.

Thematic areas to be addressed during the debate will include national cohesion and devolution, economic growth, food security and cost of living, corruption, youth affairs among other issues.