Raila Odinga officially withdraws from the presidential debate over Ruto's lack of decency

Raila Odinga officially withdraws from the presidential debate saying his opponent DP William Ruto lacks decency.

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga has officially withdrawn from the highly anticipated 2022 Presidential Debate slated for July 26.

Raila Odinga’s Campaign Spokesperson Prof Makau Mutua stated that the Azimio flag-bearer will not attend the Presidential Debate.

In a press statement released on Sunday, July 24, Mutua explained that the demand by UDA candidate William Ruto to have certain issues left out deviated from the purpose of the national debate.

“That is why he has demanded that the debate not focus on corruption, ethics, and governance. These are issues at the core of the Azimio campaign; any debate devoid of these questions will be an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans,” he stated.

Mutua explained that Raila and running mate Martha Karua participating in the debate would only be campaigning for the Kenya Kwanza candidate.

“It would be a colossal mistake to reward such a person with a national debate. We will not assist his failing campaign; he can explain himself and his poor record to voters without our help,”

“We plan to 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,” the statement read in part.

On July 22, Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed revealed that Azimio was mulling sending Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino to face off with Ruto if the debate is not well structured.