Presidential Debate to Proceed As Scheduled
In a statement released, the presidential debates secretariat has stated that the presidential debate 2022 which will be conducted on July 26 will go ahead as it was initially planned.
Leah Mukangai 
Raila Odinga, the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition's flag bearer, announced on Sunday that he would not participate in tomorrow's highly anticipated Presidential candidate debate.
Raila's campaign secretariat Spokesperson Prof Makau Mutua claimed that his main opponent, Deputy President William Ruto, was deviating from issues the Azimio candidate wanted to center on.
Mutua characterized DP Ruto as a man who has no regard for ethics, public morals, or shame by insisting that the debate not center on corruption, integrity, ethics, and governance; the critical existential question that Kenya faces.
“These issues sit at the core of the Azimio campaign. Any debate devoid of these questions will be an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans. That is why we do not intend to share a national podium with a person who lacks decency. As is well known, our opponent traversed the country hurling epithets at us and other key national leaders, including vile, sexists attack," Prof. Makau stated.
The Presidential Debates Secretariat stated that it had taken note of DP Ruto's Kenya Kwanza and Azimio's positions on their participation in this year's debate.
They also stated that the participants had been consulted on the rules of engagement and that they had agreed to make the debate as inclusive and representative as possible for the benefit of the Kenyan people.
“In accordance with the Presidential Debate Guidelines, we have shared the thematic areas with all the candidates and the moderators will endeavor to cover all the said topics within the set timeline,” read part of the statement.
