I haven’t ruled out participating in presidential debate, Ruto declares
By Anthony.Mwangi, July 19, 2022Deputy President William Ruto will consult with his Kenya Kwanza principals to decide whether he will participate in the presidential debate scheduled for July 26.
Ruto said the principals will have the final say but did not rule out taking part in the debate.
Speaking during an interview with a radio station at his Karen residence yesterday, Ruto blamed the media for his team’s hesitance to make a decision on the matter.
“It is an open secret that the media has been giving Azimio more coverage than us,” he said.
He noted such media houses should declare their political leaning instead of purporting to offer non-partisan coverage.
“I’ve already spoken to various media houses who have requested me to attend the debate. I prompted them to tell me why our opponents get 65 per cent coverage whereas we get a mere 35 per cent.
Is it hard for the media to be fair? If a media house is inclined towards a particular candidate, they ought to declare publicly,” Ruto (pictured) said.
Ruto said the Kenya Kwanza team will also decide whether his running-mate Rigathi Gachagua will attend today’s debate. “We have not ruled out honouring the debate,” said the DP.
Last week, Ruto’s campaign secretariat said it had resolved to allow Ruto and Gachagua make their own decisions.
Media Council of Kenya (MCK), in its recent findings, reported that Azimio-One Kenya’s Raila Odinga was is getting less media coverage.
“During the period, Kenya Kwanza got 14 per cent mention in print media compared to Raila’s 12 per cent and 61 per cent coverage in radio against Raila’s 58 per cent,” MCK said.