The 2022 Presidential Debate is off to a messy start after two of four candidates – flagbearers Raila Odinga for Azimio and George Wajackoya of Roots Party – pulled out hours before the debate started. Leaving the debate stage to Agano Party Presidential candidate Mwaure Waihiga and Deputy President President William Ruto appearing separately in a format many Kenyans found poorly organized.
Prof. Wajackoyah formally withdrew from the debate on Tuesday at noon, citing disrespect from the organizers.
In a message sent by Wilson Muirani (popularly known by his comedy moniker of Jaymo Ule Msee), the spokesman of the Roots Party, Wajackoyah, accused the media of trying to predetermine the outcome of the forthcoming general elections.
“Roots Party would like to state that our presidential candidate Prof. Wajackoyah will not attend the presidential debate because we will not subject the incoming President to the joke of an already predetermined debate,” the statement read in part.
“The media cannot decide the outcome of an election before the poll day. The notion that some candidates are trailing others or some leading others is baseless. We refuse to be counted as “others” in this important democratic duty of seeking the presidency,” it read further.
Two days earlier, Odinga withdrew from the debate, saying he could not share a podium with William Ruto.
In a statement sent to the media and the public by Professor Makau Mutua, the spokesperson of Odinga’s Presidential Campaign Secretariat, the Azimio team said they had traveled the country to meet with voters and heard their concerns, and had found common ground with all Kenyans.
“Our competitors have decided to avoid the debate because Mr. Odinga has no plan to explain to Kenyans. The only plan that exists in this election is the Kenya Kwanza Alliance plan. Our competitors have no plans, agendas, or ideas on how to take Kenya forward. This is the reason why they have run away from the debate,” Ruto said.
The statement said that, like other debates, the presidential debate would provide a similar opportunity for voters to hear directly from candidates for public office, understand their vision for leadership, and 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,” Makau said.
“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,” the statement read further.
Azimio’s camp said Ruto is a man who has no regard for ethics, public morals, or shame. Besides, they alleged Ruto had demanded that the debate avoids focusing on corruption, integrity, ethics, and governance.
“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,” Azimio’s communique read.
As is well known, our opponent has traversed the country, hurling epithets at other national leaders and us, including vile sexist attacks.
“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,” Makau Mutua, spokesman Raila Odinga Campaign.
Instead, Azimio said they would 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.”
Regardless of these developments, Clifford Machoka, the head of the presidential debate team, insisted the debate would go as planned.
“The debate is scheduled to be held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa’s main campus in Karen from 4 pm to 10 pm,” Machoka said.
He added that the team had shared the thematic areas with all candidates under presidential debate guidelines, and the moderators will endeavor to cover them.
Ruto said Odinga avoided the debate because he could not defend his plan for the country. Meanwhile, Ruto’s allies said Odinga was no match for Ruto’s wits.
“Let my competitor come for the debate so that he can tell Kenyans why he thwarted government programs with his handshake,” Ruto said, insinuating the doom of the Jubilee government’s Big Four agenda.
“Our competitors have decided to avoid the debate because Mr. Odinga has no plan to explain to Kenyans. The only plan that exists in this election is the Kenya Kwanza Alliance plan. Our competitors have no plans, agendas, or ideas on how to take Kenya forward. This is the reason why they have run away from the debate,” Ruto said.
Kenyans reacted to Wajackoyah and Odinga’s withdrawals.
Frederick Otieno suggested that the Agano Party presidential candidate should be paired with William Ruto.
“Now that Raila and Wajackoyah are out of today’s presidential debate, it does not make any economic sense having the debate held in tiers. Wahiga Mwaure can now be paired with Ruto so that they debate,” Otieno said.
Jay Kiarie said the debate’s organizers erred by splitting the debate into two sessions instead of having all the aspirants take to the same podium.
“With Raila and Wajackoyah out, it won’t make sense to proceed with the debate,” he said.
Lawyer Donald Kipkorir extolled Odinga’s reform credentials.
“The reformist and integrity credentials of H.E Raila Odinga are self-evident. In Latin, they say res ipsa loquitur. Baba will not enter a pigsty to wrestle pigs! Baba won’t participate in Presidential Debate 2022. No Kenyan, dead or alive, can hold a candle to him,” Kipkorir said.
Azimio la Umoja coalition party secretary-general Junet Mohamed repeated that his party boss Odinga will not attend today’s debate.
Kipchumba Murkomen, the senator for Elgeyo Marakwet, said Azimio should as well accept defeat in the polls the same way they had pulled out of the debate.
“Considering that Rigathi Gachagua obliterated Martha Karua, we can all understand why the Project is unable to face William Ruto. This game is over. Kuzimia should just concede defeat instead of fighting IEBC,” Murkomen said on Twitter.