The evening of July 19th, 2022, was marked with humor, seriousness and constitutional questions as Karua and Gachagua sought to buoy their candidacy and that of their captains in the forthcoming polls.
From the beginning, the two candidates set the tone of the debate, pronouncing themselves as the only remaining flicker of hope for Kenyans.
“I represent the Azimio hope for this country. We are out to rescue this country from the stranglehold of corruption. We intend to help citizens get their country back,” Karua said.
Gachagua capitalized on the current high cost of living to demonstrate the sorry state that the people are in and then presented himself and Kenya Kwanza as the savior.
“The people of Kenya are in anguish. They are in a state of helplessness. They have no food. They don’t know where to get their next meal. They are devastated. They need hope,” Gachagua said.
Azimio la Umoja’s Martha Karua focused on how he would help Raila Odinga forge an integrity-led government, while Kenya Kwanza’s Gachagua settled on tackling state capture and how the Ruto-led government will leave nothing to chance in the war against the state capture, should it be elected.
“I am a victim of blackmail and prosecution by President Uhuru Kenyatta; the money that I have is well documented. It is clean money,” Gachagua said.
At some point, both Gachagua and Karua were tasked to explain their seemingly embarrassing pasts. The panelists pressed Gachagua to explain his wealth and worth. He said his net value is Ksh 800 million against the billions of shillings the public perceives him to have. The Mathira Member of Parliament accused the state of false accusations and blackmail.
“I am a victim of blackmail and prosecution by President Uhuru Kenyatta; the money that I have is well documented. It is clean money,” Gachagua responded.
He added that the President had resorted to using the state’s criminal justice system to manage politics and deal with him because he disagreed with him.
Meanwhile, Karua painted herself clean and corruption free, saying she was content with what she had.
“I am not thirsty for worldly goods. I’m happy to have a house I call home. I don’t look for property. Not everybody is hungry to amass wealth. I am not hungry for billions,” Martha said.
She added that her only hunger is to help and transform people’s lives.
Gachagua poked holes at Karua’s political past and challenged her to explain her experience with former President Kibaki, specifically on the event when she walked out of the cabinet after having differences with Kibaki.
Karua resigned as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on April 6th, 2009, citing frustrations in discharging her duties, particularly after President Mwai Kibaki appointed Judges without her knowledge.
“I don’t think it is honorable to be a quitter. My sister Martha Karua quit on Mwai Kibaki when he needed her the most. Any leader who couldn’t work with Mwai Kibaki, I seriously doubt they can work with anyone else,” Gachagua poked Karua.
In response, Karua said she resigned out of respect and to allow sobriety to regain the seat in the government.
“I respectfully withdrew myself from the Mwai Kibaki government so that when we were able to meet, we could talk, respectfully,” she said.
“For those who do not understand the principle, they can never envisage resigning,” she added.
“I am not thirsty for worldly goods. I’m happy to have a house I call home. I don’t look for property. Not everybody is hungry to amass wealth. I am not hungry for billions,” Karua said.
As though returning the ball to the Kenya Kwanza camp on the intolerance issue, Karua raised the rivalry between President Kenyatta and his Deputy, William Ruto.
Karua implicitly accused Ruto of clinging to the deputy president’s office without playing a role in the government.
“Holding an office while not serving is dishonesty,” Karua said.
Delving in on the issue, Gachagua fully defended his boss, squarely laying the blame for Ruto’s supposed incapacity in the government on President Kenyatta.
“Ruto is not an appointee of Uhuru. He is elected by the people of Kenya. If it were the previous constitution, Ruto would have been sucked a long time ago and replaced with Gideon Moi,” Gachagua said.
He said Kenyatta was afraid of Ruto because Ruto was smart and sharp in running the government and, therefore, service delivery to the people.
“The situation between President Uhuru and DP Ruto has been brought up because of an inferiority complex. People must allow strong leaders to prevail. You shouldn’t have a problem when your deputy is strong, sharp, and focused,” he said.
Further on, the former District Officer promised to help Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration, owing to his vast experience in the government.
“I come from a management background. I have been in public service with 35 years of experience. I am a hard-working man with a zeal to serve. I am an active man; I wake up early. I don’t take alcohol. I have all the time to serve the people of Kenya,” Gachagua said.
Karua also blew up her trumpet, saying she was the best.
“I will be a DP who is respectful of the constitution, and I will do my best to support my captain to deliver for this country. I serve with honesty, and my track record speaks for itself,” Karua said.
At some point, Gachagua corrected Karua and accused her of living and peddling lies by saying the price of fertilizer is Ksh 2500. Gachagua said that the Cabinet Secretary for the ministry of Agriculture lied to the people that the price had been lowered to Ksh 2500, while in reality, it was retailing between Ksh 6000 and 7000.
Gachagua unequivocally pronounced war against the corrupt and corruption, saying once the Kenya Kwanza alliance forms the government, they will go after the culprits.
“The real corruption we need to deal with is State capture, it is where the people in power compete with citizens for scarce resources.
“They use their power to allocate projects they have an interest in. We will go after all who are involved in state capture and conflict of interest. They will be held to account,” he said in undertones that pointed at President Kenyatta and the first family.
Commonfolk and leaders were drawn to the debate and commented with praise and criticism for various factions, depending on whose side they were.
Soon after the debate, William Ruto praised his running mate for performing well and boosting the people’s confidence in their candidacy.
“Congratulations, Rigathi Gachagua, my very able running mate. Kenyans are confident that in you, we have a seasoned, passionate, and focused leader to help us steer Kenya Kwanza to victory and the nation to prosperity. We thank almighty God na ubarikiwe sana. Never mind the media,” Ruto tweeted.
Raila Odinga congratulated Karua for standing up to the task and delivering successfully.
“Your poise, mastery of subject matters, and staying calm even when provoked were impressive. I congratulate my able deputy and team member Martha Karua. The Azimio family stands proud of your performance during last night’s debate,” Odinga wrote on his Twitter account.
Boniface Mwangi, the renowned activist who is pro-Raila and Martha, said: “Voters are wiser now; Martha Karua is going to be Kenya’s first female Deputy President. Democracy demands that we choose integrity. On August 9th, we will make the only choice that matters. We shall choose integrity and track record.”
Susan Kihika, the Senator for Nakuru County, praised Gachagua for his performance, especially in explaining the state capture in the government.
“Gachagua doing very well at the debate! Telling it like it is! He brought receipts. State Capture & Conflict of Interest. We shall revisit!” Kihika tweeted.
Junet Mohammed, Azimio la Umoja’s secretary general, took a swipe at Gachagua’s lack of knowledge of the price of kerosene.
“Tonight, if you were shocked that Rigathi Gachagua does not know the price of kerosene, then maybe you may have forgotten he’s a billionaire who made his wealth exclusively from state capture. How can he know? Has never used kerosene in his entire adult life. How can he know?” He said.
Kipchumba Murkomen, the senator of Elgeyo Marakwet County, lauded Gachagua’s performance, terming him the deputy that Kenya needs.
“Rigathi Gachagua is the radiance of wisdom and brilliance. His critics are shocked, but we are not. He is the man we have come to know and appreciate as the Kenya Kwanza team. He is practical. He is the DP we need at this very challenging time in our country,” he said on Twitter.
Donald Kipkorir, a flamboyant lawyer and supporter of Azimio la Umoja, accused Gachagua of carrying a mwakenya to the debate and thus debating from the notes rather than his mind.
“Martha Karua SC speaks based on her long-held and publicly known beliefs and conviction. She speaks from the heart. DO Rigathi Gachagua came, coached, and with prepared notes (mwakenya). He doesn’t speak from the heart: he speaks from his pocket. Kenya, Be Warned!” Kipkorir said.
All eyes are set on July 26th, when there shall be a Presidential Debate. The polls shall be held on August 9th, 2022.