Nakuru County Senator, Susan Kihika, says she skipped the Nakuru gubernatorial debate in order to attend a meeting with the locals.
The debate which was on KTN News, was moderated by Ken Mijungu, who posed various questions to the five candidates eyeing the seat, including the incumbent Lee Kinyanjui.
However, Susan Kihika was conspicuously missing. She skipped the highly anticipated debate, with Mijungu stating that all the hopefuls had been invited for the live show.
In a statement issued after the debate on Sunday, June 26, Kihika faulted the news anchor accusing him of deceiving the public that she had committed herself to attend the debate, terming Mijungu as a 'biased' journalist.
Detailing her reasons, the senator pointed out that she opted to attend a meeting with over 4,000 Nakuru county residents instead.
"Dear KTN, Ken Mijiungu, journalism is a high calling to the pillars of facts and truth. It is not only shameful but unethical for a journalist, on national television like KTN to lie to viewers. You know very well that I did not at any point commit to appear in the debate. "
"Between a prior commitment of a meeting of 4,000 people of Nakuru and a biased journalist moderating a debate- I made my choice to be with the people!" she stated.
Kihika detailed that purpose of the meeting was based on the rise in insecurity relating to the five women who lost their lives at the hands of the dreaded 'Confirm' gang.
"I attended the Security meeting on the Mawanga deaths most vile that have so far claimed six lives of women from the area. In a span of barely two weeks, the Mawanga area in Bahati Constituency has lost six women through very cruel deaths.
"A single life lost is one too many. Having lost six lives is too much loss not only to the families but to the Community. The security apparatus must act with speed to not only make sure we do not lose another life but also that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes must be brought to book and Justice for the victims served. "
The statement drew mixed reactions with some UDA supporters lauding Kihika for her move while another section of Kenyans vouched for the importance of politicians participating in debates.
"Very well done. A biased Media cannot moderate a Fair debate," UDA digital strategist Dennis Itumbi stated.
"You missed the opportunity to speak to the people of Nakuru, you also missed the opportunity to answer some important questions, you missed the opportunity to ask governor Lee questions on our behalf, indeed this is a great disappointment," another user opined.
The debate saw five candidates share a podium, including Munyua Waiyaki, Stanley Chege Karanja, former senator James Mungai and incumbent Lee Kinyanjui.
