Raila Odinga is well covered in the news, his record of good governance, honesty, respect and statesmanship, speaks for itself.
He has decided to skip the debate so as not to be soiled by the obviously skewed half-baked journalists from Daystar University who don’t know how to probe a subject.
It would’ve been a waste of time and resources, had he chosen to attend a debate with DP William Ruto who gave conditions on which subjects to tackle.
William Ruto for once did not want a debate focussed on questions of integrity, how to defeat corruption and such.
How would Ruto who has been mentioned for land grabbing of KPC, Adrian Muteshi (even taken to court – Guilty) and others share a podium with the incorruptible Raila Odinga?
Tuache jokes
Here is the text statement.
OUR POSITION ON THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
In the closing days of a national campaign for the presidency, candidates must reinforce their social contract with the citizenry. It is critical that voters across Kenya have the opportunity to learn as much as they can about each candidate.
Our campaign has travelled the country to meet with voters, hear their concerns, and in doing so, find common ground with all Kenyans.
Typically, debates provide a similar opportunity for voters to hear directly from candidates for public office, to understand their vision for leadership, and to decide whether the candidate reflects their values.
Unfortunately, a traditional debate structure with opposing candidates joined together on stage is a bad idea this year.
Simply put, our main opponent has proven over the course of his career that he will do and say anything in his ungovernable greed for power. Today, as his campaign flails and supporters abandon him, he has become desperate.
He is a man who has no regard for ethics, public morals, or shame. That is why he has demanded that the debate not focus on corruption, integrity, ethics, and governance — the key existential questions that Kenya faces. These issues sit at the core of the Azimio campaign. Any
debate devoid of these questions would be an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans. That is why we do not intend to share a national podium with a person who lacks basic decency. As is well known, our opponent has traversed the country hurling epithets at us and other key national leaders, including vile sexist attacks.
As an incoming president, this is a show of leadership.
it would be a colossal mistake to reward such a person with a national debate. We will not help his failing campaign. He can explain himself and his poor record to voters without our help.
In lieu of a traditional debate, we plan to take part in a televised town hall at Jericho Social Hall in Nairobi’s Eastlands with ordinary Kenyans to offer our solutions to the challenges facing the country and common people.
Our flag-bearer Rt Hon Raila Odinga and his running mate, Hon Martha Karua, will answer questions put to them by the people of Kenya openly, honestly, and free from what would otherwise be nothing more than empty self-serving political theatre.
Prof Makau Mutua,
Spokesperson, Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat.