2017 Presidential Debates: Reasons Why Uhuru May Not Attend

Reports from our reliable sources have revealed that incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta may not be attending the forthcoming 2017 presidential debates slated for July 10th and 24th.

An insider revealed the details to the Nation saying that the organizers of the debate had not issued an official invitation to the Jubilee flag bearer.

The source also said that the president’s schedule is very tight and fully booked up until the August 8 election day, thus there is no room for extra activities.

“The Jubilee Presidential candidate or his official representatives have yet to get an invite to plan, or participate in the plaing of the debate,” said the source.

He added; “The president’s campaign schedule is already drawn till the last day of campaigns, no consultations on dates and venue (of the debate) have been made.”

The insider went ahead to slam the organizers of the debate saying that they lacked adequate organizational skills required to plan a presidential debate.

“Sometimes we think it’s a media debate being plaed between top editors of media houses, or the best political reporters on the issues of the day, and not a Presidential debate,” the source said.

Read Also: Highlights of Raila Odinga’s 2017 Manifesto

The 2017 presidential debates would be the second in Kenya’s political history. The first was held in 2013.

A similitude of the American version, presidential candidates, in a bid to prove that they are the better candidate for the nation’s top job, would attempt to answer questions asked by media journalists/moderators in the presence of a selected audience.

Unlike the maiden edition, the sophomore version would also include a separate debate for the ruing mates of each presidential candidate. The vice presidential debate is slated for the 17th of July.

The televised presidential debate would be held at Catholic University of East Africa with 8 of the presidential candidates expected to be in attendance.

It would be aired live from 7.30 PM via tens of local TV and radio stations as well as on YouTube.

Like in the first version, opposition NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga and incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta, should he change his mind to attend, would be the two major contenders.

About a month ago, Uhuru’s Jubilee party issued a statement to the debate organizers urging them to ensure that all participants are adequately briefed before the debate.

The statement said in part;

“To ensure a balanced and transport high-quality debates that Kenyans deserve and which are devoid of any pollution of bias, rules, and methods of engagement, including the dates, must be agreed by candidates before making any aouncement.”