Kenya: History Made as Country Holds First Presidential Debate

By Staff Writer 

By NewsfromAfrica

NAIROBI--Kenya has held its first presidential debate Monday February 12 at a Nairobi School pitting all eight candidates cleared to contest in the next election due in three weeks.

The Monday evening debate which pulled millions of Kenyans, scheduled at 18:30 hours local time was broadcast live across 42 local radio stations and 8 TV stations, as well as on YouTube. ‘The Presidential Debate 2013’ was organised by local media and said to have cost about $1.1 million that also rendered several weeks of preparations.

The debate saw the eight candidates; Peter Kenneth (Eagle), Uhuru Kenyatta (Jubilee), Musalia Mudavadi (Amani), Martha Karua (Narc Kenya), Prof James ole Kiyiapi (Restore and Build Kenya) and Raila Odinga (Cord), Mohammed Dida (Alliance for Real Change) and Paul Muite (Safina) engaged in a live debate aimed at convincing the 14 million voters that they are best suited to succeed President Kibaki in the March 4 General Election. In the first pre-election debate for presidential candidates in Kenya, the eight contestants tackled a wide range of issues, including foreign policy and party politics. They also promised to fight corruption and tribalism.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Uhuru Kenyatta, who is facing crimes against humanity  charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) are seen as the favourites in the vote that has pulled a tight contest between the two.

Mr Kenyatta is due to stand trial at the ICC along with his running mate William Ruto, who both are accused alongside Radio Journalist Joshua Sang and former head of public service Francis Muthaura also accused of fuelling the violence which broke out after the 2007 poll.

Disputes over the previous election, in 2007, led to ethnic violence in which more than 1,300 people were killed and 300,000 forced from their homes.

Mr Kenyatta said his trial at the ICC would not prevent him from conducting his duties if elected as president.

"If people elect me, they have confidence that I can still handle my problems and still discharge my duties as president. The job that I seek is going to be given by the people of Kenya," he said.

Mr Odinga said his efforts to establish a local tribunal to try the suspects of the post polls chaos were frustrated by some of his opponents who now face the charges at The Hague.

Mr Odinga expressed disapproval of the possibility of Mr Kenyatta being able to discharge his duties while still attending to the ICC trials.

“I know it's going to cause serious challenges to run the government via skype from the Hague," he said.

Kenyans are expected to go to polls on March 4 to elect a new leader who will take over from incumbent President Mwai Kibaki who will be retiring after two terms in office.

Earlier last week US President Barack Obama expressed his country’s non- pertinence in the Kenyan polls urging the people of Kenya to avoid violence and intimidation and embrace unity during this historic moment.

UK and France have said they would have limited contact with a president who faced trial at the ICC resonating earlier rhetoric by US Assistant Secretary of State Jonnie Carson that "choices have consequences".

On Monday Kenya’s Foreign Minister Sam Ongeri summoned European Union (EU) envoys warning them of interfering in the polls by making inflammatory remarks that could polarise the nation ahead of the March 4 polls.

The EU ambassadors in a joint statement have denied allegations of any interference in the upcoming elections.

“Other like-minded states have a long-standing policy, not limited to Kenya, to have only essential contact with indicted ICC suspects."

The next round of the debate is expected to be held on February 25.