
“Our competitors have run away from this debate in total contempt to the people of Kenya. They have little regard for the people of Kenya. They think the deep state is going to make the decision” – William Ruto (26.07.2022)
Presidential candidates David Mwaure and William Ruto showed up the Presidential Debates. We both teams of the main candidates ahead of the Presidential Debates has questioned and asked for points ahead of participation. That is what is ordinary and that the campaign teams are prepared for parts of the debates. This is normal as way of getting the candidates ready and ensure they can answer or know what sort of themes that are coming up.
So, it is sort of special after everything, as it seemingly looked like both Ruto and Raila Odinga would both drop out. That only one of them did. Maybe, the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance is so sure of victory. In such a manner, that they thought it was clever to sit this one out and not show up. In this regard, Odinga is actually doing like Museveni did to the first Presidential Debate in 2016 and this is not a good look. He should have showed up.
Yes, Ruto failed on questions and showed that he has a tendency of lying. That is a character trait everyone knows and know his that sort of guy. In that perspective, the old-man and aged politician in Odinga could have been witty and smart too. He could have shown his finesse and how ready his for the Presidency. Instead his in absentia like Professor George Wajackoyah who also didn’t show up.
That’s why it’s only half of the top 4 who showed up. While the two main contenders, only one did and it was William Ruto. The man who has the most to gain from this and surely he will win votes by showing up. If he didn’t believe it would give him some credibility. He wouldn’t have entered and been there.
What Odinga is showing is a bit of contempt and disregard of the whole campaign season. Here he could have finessed Ruto and played at his game. Instead, his staying at home or not attending. That’s just showing how little he cares. A man who is supposed to be the front-runner and have the whole machinery behind him.
Odinga has no reasons to rest and take it easy. Seemingly he should win on a walk-over this time around. Everything that matters has gone in his favour until now. However, not showing up to the debate. While Ruto did… is bad publicity. Even if Ruto has a lot of own-goals and shown his character flaws.
Still, Odinga didn’t even dare to get out of the program and the self-serving campaign rallies. Which he controls and in a sort of territory he has been for years. To be questioned, tested and even possibly burned by another candidate could have shown who he as a man and a candidate. However, we never got to see that now.
“My competitor is not here because he doesn’t have a plan, he doesn’t want to answer questions, he could not come here because he is not here candidate, he is a project” (Ruto, 26.07.2022).
Even with all the failures of Ruto during the Debate. He still carried himself and was there. A place where he could undermine and spell out the grievances towards Odinga. If Odinga had been there… he could have addressed it and undressed him. However, that will never happen and certainly Azimio will have their reasons.
However, what is striking is that Odinga let this one go and boycott. Odinga has boycotted a lot of things over the years. It isn’t the first time he has done that and he could have been a big-man tonight. He could have been juggernaut and proven why Ruto isn’t fit. Nevertheless, that is only fiction and a fever-dream.
Odinga lost even more than Ruto tonight. Yes, Ruto did blunders and shown how he cannot keep his tongue always in order. Still, Odinga did even set foot in the studio or show anything worthwhile. His mute and not participating when it mattered. That’s the gist of it.
Well, there you have it. The Presidential Debates, which has been so up in the air and how it became. Odinga joined Wajackoyah. They are in the same bracket here and nobody would expect that in advance. Peace.

















