The 8 presidential candidates who contested in 2013. Analysts argue that President Uhuru Kenyatta will be the main loser if he and Raila fail to turn up for Monday's presidential debate. [Photo: dailymaverick.co.za]
President Uhuru Kenyatta will be the main loser if he and Nasa flag bearer Raila Odinga make good their decision to snub the presidential debate planned for Monday, July 10.
Governance analyst Dr Brian Mutie has said Raila is a poor debater and would have lost it squarely to Uhuru.
"Raila is good in theatre and drama. That is why his 'kitendawili' rhetoric rhymes well with attendants of public rallies. But when it comes to controlled environment Raila loses it. President Uhuru, on the other hand, is good in facts articulation, logic and formatting in a controlled environment," said Mutie on Thursday during Citizen TV Extra show.
He added: "I think it was a godsend for Raila for President Uhuru to say no to the debate first because that is what he anchored his refusal on. But at the end of the day, I think that the two political campaigns are alive to the fact that any evaluation of the outcome of the debate that will give one candidate an upper hand would undermine the standing of the other. And I think both campaign teams are very happy where they are."
Uhuru pulled out of the debate on Wednesday citing lack of consultation by organisers while Raila disagrees with the debate format. It is, however, not clear whether the two candidates will reverse their decision and show up for the debate if their complaints are sorted out before Monday.