The preparations for the Deputy Presidential debate have been completed in order for Kenyans to witness and participate in the debate, which will take place on Tuesday, July 19th at 5 p.m.
The debate will feature four candidates vying for the position of deputy president on joint presidential tickets. Martha Karua (Azimio la Umoja One-Kenya Alliance), Rigathi Gachagua (UDA Party), Ruth Mucheru Mutua (Agano Party), and Justina Wambui (Roots Party) are among the candidates.
Concerns were raised last week after Hussein Mohamed, the Director of Communications for William Ruto’s presidential campaign, stated that it is up to Ruto and Gachagua to decide whether or not to attend.
However, the head of the Presidential Debate Secretariat, Clifford Machoka, confirmed on Monday that Gachagua would be available for the debate.
This came after the Mathira MP unexpectedly appeared at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa for a pre-debate briefing on the event’s ground rules.
The debate will be divided into two parts, with the first beginning at 5 p.m. and featuring candidates with less than a 5% popularity rating according to three recent opinion polls.
It will be followed by candidates with a popularity rating of more than 5%, who will compete from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The first debate session will pit Agano party running mate Ruth Mutua against George Wajackoyah’s running mate Justina Wamae.
The main debate will be moderated by journalists Sophia Wanuna (KTN) and James Smart (NTV), while the first session will be coordinated by TV47’s Linda Alela and KBC presenter John Jacob Mworia.
Trevor Ombija, Citizen TV anchor and presenter, will moderate the panel discussions before, during, and after the two sessions.
Kenyans who want to participate in the Deputy Presidential Debate can send a 30-second clip of their questions to 0796 560560 on Whatsapp or 22843 on SMS.
Gachagua and Karua will square off in the debate’s second round, which will pit the deputies of the leading Presidential candidates against each other.
Debates play an important role for voters, who often make their final decision on who to support in the upcoming General Elections.
A series of debates between candidates at all levels have been broadcast on our television, with the main one set to conclude later.
