Ruto Reacts to Raila's Refusal to Face Him in Tuesday's Presidential Debate
Deputy President William Ruto has reacted to Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s decision to withdraw from Tuesday’s presidential debate.
Speaking during a campaign rally at Erera grounds in Kisii town on Sunday, Ruto said he will attend the debate and use the platform to sell his agenda to Kenyans and drum up support for his State House bid.
The deputy president described Odinga as a coward, saying that he has chickened out of the debate because he does not have a plan and agenda for Kenyans.
"He has feared going for the debate because they have no plan and agenda. They have no policies to sell, that is why they are wondering what they will come to do in the debate. They cannot articulate any agenda because they have none. That man who is full of rhetoric lacks clarity on what he wants for Kenyans, " said Ruto.
He added: “He cannot come for the debate because he has no plan. He doesn't know what to say. I want to assure Kenyans that I will attend that debate very early, because I want to explain to Kenyans the Kenya Kwanza Alliance plan."
At the same time, Ruto told President Kenyatta to differentiate between being the President and the Chairman of the Azimio coalition where he is pushing for Odinga's presidency, adding that must ensure a peaceful, free and fair election.
On Sunday, Odinga’s presidential campaign secretariat spokesperson Prof. Makau Mutua said the ODM leader is not ready to share a national podium with his main competitor Deputy President William Ruto, who he said lacks “basic decency”.
Mutua further described Ruto, who is eyeing the presidency on a UDA party ticket, as “a man who has no regards for ethics, public morals or shame” and who will “do and say anything” to seek power.
“He is a man who has no regard for ethics, public morals, or shame. That is why he has demanded that the debate not focus on corruption, integrity, ethics, and governance—the key existential questions that Kenya faces. These issues sit at the core of the Azimio campaign.”
The secretariat noted that instead of a traditional debate, Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua will hold a televised town hall at Jericho Social Hall in Nairobi’s Eastlands where ordinary Kenyans will be given a chance to offer solutions to the challenges facing the country and common people.