For the first time in Kenya’s history, the Deputy President position will be a contest of 3 women and a man, sharing a debate stage Tuesday evening.
Martha Karua of Azimio, Justina Wamae of Roots Party, and Ruth Mucheru of Agano Party will debate each other and Rigathi Gachagua of Kenya Kwanza, the sole man on stage.
The running mates, all from the Mt. Kenya region, will attempt to capture the nation’s attention by selling their party platform and the head of their tickets.
Kenyans are expected to tune in in large numbers to the debate, which will be broadcasted live across several media houses.
Despite the historic implications, all eyes would be on Martha Karua and Rigathi Gachagua the top-tier candidates in the group.
Karua’s nomination as Azimio’s running mate, electrified the nation and juiced up the coalition which was struggling to find traction in the Mt. Kenya region despite having the endorsement of President Uhuru Kenyatta. Karua is expected to drive home the point that the key to bringing prosperity to Kenya is through ending corruption.
Gachagua comes to the debate as fighter of the poor, whom Kenya Kwanza call hustlers. He has run a tough campaign against Kenyatta, popularizing the phrase “maliza uende,” (finish your term and leave office). Gachagua has blamed Kenyatta and Azimio flag bearer Raila Odinga’s alliance as the cause of the tough times Kenyans are currently experiencing.
Wamae, the Roots Party running mate will face questions about how her party plans to use Bhang to revive the Kenyan economy. The Roots party campaign is viewed as a stunt and it would be interesting to hear from Wamae how their plans can come to fruition.
Agano Party’s Mucheru will be the newest face on stage. Agano Party has pledged to introduce a Truth and Recovery commission to scrape back funds and assets lost through corruption.
Stay tuned for highlights.