President Uhuru Kenyatta at a past Jubilee Party campaign rally. [Photo: PSCU]
President Uhuru Kenyatta will not attend the highly anticipated presidential debate set for July Monday 10, and July 24.Jubilee Party vice chairman David Murathe has indicated that Uhuru was not consulted on the matter.According to him, the Party leadership is as well not aware of the rules of engagement over the debate, which was to include all the eight presidential candidates.They iclude, Independent candidates, Michael Wainaina, Joseph Nyagah and Japheth Kavinga, Cyrus Jirongo (United Democratic Party), Abduba Dida (Alliance for Real Change), Ekuru Aukot (Thirdway Alliance), NASA's Raila Odinga and President Uhuru himself.Murathe however indicated Uhuru can answer questions from the public on live TV without being distracted.This even as organisers of the event, Debate Media Ltd, has warned that risks losing advertising money, amounting to Sh200 million, in case the Court suspends the debate, which will be aired on all participating television and radio stations.This is after Dida filed a petition, saying the debate will feature two categories; those who have garnered at least 5 per cent popularity as per opinion polls, and those who have not.Through its director Wachira Waruru, Debate Media Ltd said it also stands to lose Sh100 million investment in cash, if the petition goes through.According to Waruru, granting interim orders to stop the debates would prejudice Kenyans. Hearing of the case is slated for Friday, July 7.
All the debates will be held at Catholic University of Eastern Africa at 7.30pm.