President Uhuru’s name, links with Azimio dragged into debate
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s name featured prominently in the presidential running mate’s debate on Tuesday night despite not being anywhere near the venue of the much-anticipated event.
President Uhuru (pictured) is serving his last two-and-a-half weeks in office and has promised to hand over power to the winner in next month’s elections.
However, his involvement in the operations of Azimio-One Kenya whose presidential candidate is Raila Odinga, made it to the centre of the debate involving the coalition’s deputy-designate Martha Karua and her rival from United Democratic Alliance Rigathi Gachagua.
The two took on each other in a highly-publicised debate at the Catholic University of East Africa questioning each other’s credentials to occupy the second most-powerful office in the land but the President’s name remained within the reach of their lips as his role in his succession was debated at length.
The Karua and Gachagua battle started under an hour after another feud for the same position between two fringe candidates; Justina Wamae of Roots Party and Ruth Mutua (Agano Party).
Gachagua, who is Deputy President William Ruto’s running-mate, dragged the President to the debate for most of his submissions, forcing Karua to come to the Head of State’s defence on a number of occasions.
The President chairs the Azimio Council, the top-decision making organ of the coalition party.
After the preliminaries that entailed the two giving brief profiles of themselves, they were ushered in by the moderators; James Smart of NTV and Sophia Wanuna of KTN News to join into the real debate centred on pertinent issues that have topped this year’s campaigns.
Similar situation
The cold relationship between the President and his deputy took was om display, as the two were asked to explain how they would respond to a similar situation should they occupy the office after the August 9 polls.
Gachagua, also outgoing Mathira MP, said he did not anticipate a bitter fallout with Ruto although he acknowledged they were both tough and focused.
He defended his party leader against past accusations by the President and his allies that he had been disrespectful, saying Ruto was a focused, no-nonsense individual.
Karua acknowledged the possibility of leaders having ideological differences but said it should be done respectfully away from the public eye. “It is not possible for human beings to think alike, that is why our Constitution acknowledges diversity of opinion, it is imperative that all disagreements or arguments on issues happen in-house and what is brought to the public must be the result, the agreement on the positions.”
