Raphael Tuju. [Photo/capitalfm.co.ke]
The Jubilee Party pulled out of the presidential debate as the organisers are "arrogant and disorganised", secretary general Raphael Tuju has said.
"It is the height of arrogance to announce there is going to be a debate without engaging those involved. Who are the organisers of this debate and why didn’t they engage us? These are the issues that made NASA and Jubilee pull out," Tuju said on Wednesday.
Tuju said that the Jubilee Party was willing to enter the debate should the organisers involve them officially.
"The Jubilee Party champions for democracy and if the organisers follow the right channel and set the terms, then we will obviously take part."
Both President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Wednesday bowed out of the debate.
The debates, similar to those held in 2013, were organised by Debate Media Limited.
The first debate of the candidates has been slated for July 10, and the second on July 24. Both will be held at the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA).
According to the organizers, candidates with above five per cent national support will be pooled together while those with below will take part in a separate debate on the same day.
The presidential candidates are: Jubilee’s Uhuru, Raila (Nasa), Cyrus Jirongo (United Democratic Party), Ekuru Aukot (Thirdway Alliance), Abduba Dida (Alliance for Real Change) and independents Joseph Nyagah, Michael Wainaina and Japheth Kavinga.