24 guests from the diplomatic community will attend the presidential debate scheduled for Tuesday, Clifford Machoka, head of the presidential debate secretariat has confirmed.
The delegation will consist of ambassadors, Charge D’Affaires, and Representatives to Kenya.
Algeria, the United States of America, Argentina, AKDN, Australia, Costa Rica, the United Nations Development System, and Congo are among the countries represented by the consuls.
Reps from Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Romania, Jordan, Portugal, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Qatar, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, and Ukraine will also be in attendance.
Read: Raila Snubs Presidential Debate, To Attend Town Hall Meeting Instead
The debate is scheduled to take place at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), the main campus in Karen.
The debate is expected to run from 4 pm to 10 pm.
In response to accusations and requests made by Azimio and Kenya Kwanza, the secretariat stated that the moderators will choose the questions.
“We affirm as per the Presidential Debates Guidelines, the moderators will select the questions to be asked, and shall not share the same with the candidates. They will not meet with any of the campaign teams or the candidates,” the secretariat said.
Read Also: DP Ruto Confirms Presidential Debate Attendance
Speaking on behalf of Azimio, Prof Makau Mutua stated that Ruto had instructed the moderators to steer clear of topics like integrity and corruption, which Azimio had hoped would receive the most attention.
As a result, he said, their candidate Raila Odinga will not be attending but will instead hold a town hall meeting in Jericho.
“Our opponent has no regard for ethics, public morals or shame, that is why he has demanded that the debate not focus on corruption, integrity, ethic and governance- the key existential question that Kenya faces. These issues sit at the core of the Azimio campaign. Any debate devoid of these questions will be an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans,” he said.
But DP William Ruto has urged Raila to rethink his decision and attend the debate.
Read Also: DP Ruto Congratulates Rigathi for Performance During Debate
“I want to encourage my competitor, Mr Kitendawili, to reconsider coming for the debate, I will be waiting for you,” he said.
The DP added: “Even if you do not have any policies or plans, please come to the debate because Kenyans want to know what this ‘tibim’ and ‘tialala’ is. They want to know what these folklores of yours mean.”
Dr Ruto has also cancelled rallies to prepare for the debate.
The UDA leader was expected to sell his Bottom-Up agenda to the residents of Baringo, Nakuru and Nyandarua counties.
Read Also: Cop Hospitalised After Exchange With DP Ruto’s Gardener
“Ruto cancels all rallies scheduled for Tomorrow, Tuesday, 26th July, 2022. To enable him to prepare for the Presidential Debate,” wrote UDA digital strategist Dennis Itumbi.
Last week, Dr Ruto’s campaign secretariat demanded that the debate moderators confirm that questions will be centred on issues affecting Kenyans.
“In the previous debates, we have witnessed the moderators concentrating on trivial personal issues at the expense of those affecting the common Kenyan. We want the organisers to make public the questions for the candidates for Kenyans to know the kind of leaders they will be elected,” Director of Communication at the Secretariat Hussein Mohamed said.
DP Ruto would prefer a discussion where he can explain to Kenyans why they should support him, said Hussein.
Also expected to attend is Roots Party flagbearer Prof George Wajackoyah and Agano’s David Mwaure.
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