Will the presidential debate be canceled? Boycott of presidential debates continues
The planned presidential and running mates debates slated for July 24 and July 17, respectively, have been thrown into confusion and may not take place after all.National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential running mate Kalonzo Muysoka and Jubilee's Deputy President William Ruto said they would not be participating.Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wa yesterday said he had been asked to represent the DP at the debate scheduled for today at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).Kimani explained the DP would be away at the Coast campaigning for Jubilee Party. "I have not communicated to the organisers, nor have they communicated to me," said Ichung'wa.
NASA Chief Executive Norman Magaya said there had been no formal communication from the organisers, saying the alliance learnt about the debate in the media.Six presidential candidates have threatened to pull out of the TV debate terming the process set to kick off this Monday discriminatory.In a statement, the candidates including Thirdway Alliance flag bearer Ekuru Aukot and independent candidates Michael Wainaina and Japheth Kaluyu said they cannot take part in a debate where they have been divided into two groups (two tiers)."Further to our previous communications on the above-referenced matter, you are yet to clarify to us that you are not pursuing two tier presidential debates," reads an official statement."Should you, therefore, be still committed to this discriminatory approach, the undersigned being duly cleared presidential candidates and their running mates will have no option but not to participate in what is a clearly unconstitutional, illegal and discriminatory process," the statement continued.Uncertainty is also looming over Monday's running mates debate following the failure of Deputy President William Ruto and NASA's running mate candidate Kalonzo Musyoka to confirm their participation.The final presidential debate is scheduled for July 24.Both Uhuru and Raila said they will not participate in the presidential debate citing challenges with its structure. Uhuru's team said the president will not take part as he was not consulted.