Kenya held its first televised presidential debate in February 2013. Two decades later, the discussions aimed at helping the electorate make informed decisions on the leaders they elect, continue to gain popularity in the country.

Today, the Presidential Debate secretariat will host the country’s third presidential debate ahead of the August 9 general election.

The August contest pits veteran politician Raila Odinga of the Azimio One Kenya coalition against William Ruto (United Democratic Alliance party), George Wajackoyah (Roots party) and Agano’s David Mwaure Waihiga.

But all eyes are on Raila and Ruto, the front runners in the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Raila, who is set to make a fifth stab at the presidency, has attended all the previous debates, in 2013 and 2017.

The ODM party leader indicated on Sunday, July 24, that he will skip the debate set to be held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Karen Nairobi.

He was paired with Ruto in the debate that will proceed in two tiers.

The first tier will feature Wajackoyah and Mwaure whose popularity ratings, based on recent opinion polls, stand below 5 per cent.

If Raila skips the debate, Ruto will appear in the discussions solo, a similar fate that befall the former in 2017 when Uhuru pulled out of the highly publicized debate.

Uhuru had in weeks leading to the July 24, 2017 debate complained that the organisers of the event had not involved him to discuss and agree on the format and rules of engagement.

Raila appears solo in the debate

Unlike in 2013, when the organizers of the debate invited all eight contenders to the debates held at Brookhouse International School, the 2017 debate was unique.

The moderators of the 2017 debate, Linus Kaikai and Joe Ageyo, left millions of Kenyans disappointed after announcing that only Raila had honoured their invite to the second-tier debate.

Accompanied by his granddaughter, Raila walked majestically to the podium amid applause from a select audience to ‘debate himself’.

With a luxury of time, Raila took advantage of Uhuru’s absence to sell the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition agenda to millions of Kenyans who followed the live proceedings from home.

In the 90-minute debate, the NASA leader promised to bring down the cost of living, address food shortage and unemployment.

While accusing the Uhuru administration of mismanaging the economy, Raila also pledged to reduce rent.

“It’s my fourth time I am running for the presidency. I represent change. The coalition that nominated me wants to bring change. We want to address mismanagement of the economy,” he said.

“Every shilling spent, another is stolen. As NASA we will address the issue of fiscal discipline and create employment.”

The former premier, however, lost the election which was later nullified by the Supreme Court following a petition by NASA.

But Raila boycotted the repeat presidential poll ordered by the court, giving Uhuru and Ruto an easy win.

Interestingly, today, Uhuru and Raila are in the same camp, campaigning against Ruto’s State House bid.