Azimio-OKA presidential candidate Raila Odinga will not be participating in the presidential debate that will be held on July 26 at Catholic University.
A number of reasons were highlighted by his campaign secretariat as to why they had reached the decision.
One of the reasons mentioned was that the traditional debate structure where opposing candidates face off, with the team noting that that is a bad idea.
Azimio further faulted their opponent who was willing to do or say anything in his ‘ungovernable greed for power” as well as his move to set conditions for the debate.
“He is a man who has no regard for ethics, public morals, or shame. That is why he has demanded that the debate not focus on corruption, integrity, ethics and governance, the key existential questions that Kenya faces. Any debate devoid of these questions would be an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans. That is why we do not intend to share a national podium with a person who lacks basic decency,” Makau Mutua’s statement read.
Instead of participating in the debate, Azimio is set to hold its televised event at Jericho social hall where they will address and give solutions to problems facing Kenyans.
“Our flag bearer Rt Hon Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua will answer questions put to them by the people of Kenya openly, honestly and free from what would otherwise be nothing more than an empty self serving political theater,” Mutua further noted.
Political analyst Lee Makwiny has however suggested that Raila decided to boycott the debate because he is afraid that Ruto will outshine him just like Rigathi Gachagua did with Martha Karua and Johnson Sakaja with Polycarp Igathe.
“Ruto is one person who can tell a lie with a straight face. Because they feared that if Ruto and Raila was to be put in a scale one on one, probably Ruto was going to persuade Kenyans with his mouth and this is something they don’t want to happen. William Ruto outperforming him was something which would hurt them further,” the political analyst said.
Aside from that, the second reason for the boycott is the Uhuru factor. Attending the debate will put Raila in an awkward state to either defend president Uhuru Kenyatta or point out failures in Jubilee government. He will not be in a good position to articulate Jubilee’s success which he seeks to carry them forward because he is not in government.
Boycotting the debate is also a strategy to shield Kenyatta from more attacks Ruto and his team just like what was witnessed during the debate between Karua and Gachagua.
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