Why Did President Kenyatta Skip The Presidential Debate?

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday missed an opportunity to appeal to undecided voters after he chose to skip the presidential debate.

This move did not go down well with Kenyans who bashed their leader for showing disrespect.

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Uhuru had earlier on indicated he would not show up for the televised presidential debate citing a poor format.

The debate was organized by Debates Media Limited and held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi.

His supporters had, however, pleaded with him to attend the event which was broadcast live by the mainstream media on TV, radio and on social media platforms so he could engage his main rival Raila Odinga before millions of Kenyans.

The president was rather said to have had a meeting with some elders at State House.

NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga graced the debate and managed to answer all the questions he was asked by the moderators; NTV’s Linus Kaikai and KTN’s Joe Ageyo as well as questions from the audience.

One of the issues that stood out in the Presidential debate which Raila Odinga addressed was the issue of dynasties.

The former Prime Minister dismissed the notion that the country is held hostage politically by the Kenyatta and Odinga families. He said he joined politics on his volition, unlike claims that he was seconded by his father the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was Kenya’s first Vice President under Uhuru’s father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

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The two families have, however, remained dominant in the Kenyan political scene over the years with the competition for the presidency centered around them.

“It is wrong to allege that Kenyatta and Oginga Odinga families have held Kenya at ransom as the only two families that can lead.”

“While Uhuru was invited into politics by his mentor, I came into it alone. It was not through the invitation of my father but out of conviction,” Raila said.

The two main candidates and six others will face off in the August 8 General Election.

Mr. Odinga maintained that the election will be historic as it will mark the “end of the long walk to Kenyan’s freedom from bad governance”.

“It has been a long journey. August 8 will be a historic day. At the end of the day, Kenyans will emerge victorious. I wish President Uhuru well.”

He also squashed the suggestion that he would not accept defeat by saying his team will congratulate Jubilee if they win.

“Atakayeshinda ashinde. Asiyekubali kushindwa si mshindani.”

“In the unlikely event that we do not win, we will congratulate Jubilee. There will be no violence.”