UDA: Blunder That Led to Gachagua Constantly Mentioning Uhuru

Kenya Kwanza running mate Rigathi Gachagua with his Azimio la Umoja counterpart Martha Karua during the Deputy Presidential Debate on Tuesday July 19, 2022
Kenya Kwanza running mate Rigathi Gachagua with his Azimio la Umoja counterpart Martha Karua during the Deputy Presidential Debate on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.
Kenyans.co.ke

Deputy President William Ruto's campaign secretariat has blamed moderators for Rigathi Gachagua's focus on President Uhuru Kenyatta during the running mates debate held on July 17.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, July 21, WSR Presidential Secretariat Director of Communications, Hussein Mohamed, stated that the debate moderators framed their questions badly which led the Mathira Legislator focusing on personalities rather than the agenda.

He added that Gachagua tried to focus on issues but constantly had to discuss the Head of State because of the questions asked.

President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses the nation on July 15, 2022 at State House, Nairobi
President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses the nation on July 15, 2022 at State House, Nairobi
PSCU

The former Citizen TV news anchor expressed that the journalists did a disservice to the two candidates, explaining that none of the candidates spoke about real issues such as health care.

"The format of the debate has already been agreed to by all parties. If Kenyans think that they should allocate more time, we have no problem. If they want to move it to two hours, the better.

"But if the moderators are focused on non-issues, then it is pointless. The 1 hour 30 minutes would have been enough if the moderators were not focused on personalities and relations that do not matter," Hussein stated.

Further, Ruto's team claimed that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya running mate, Martha Karua, was favoured during the debate as she had more time to address her issues.

Hussein stated that that they were analysing the debate and will make public their report.

"Gachagua is actually on record telling the moderators to focus on issues. Ultimately, Karua got 39 minutes while Gachagua got 32 minutes."

Additionally, Ruto's camp stated that they had written to the debate organisers adding that they had issued demands to the organisers on the presidential debate.

"It is sad that nobody heard about the proposal on healthcare yet the debate was being watched by millions of Kenyans. This is why we are saying that they should make public the time allocated for these issues," Hussein added.

Gachagua came under sharp criticism from Azimio leaders who accused him of being focusing on President Uhuru Kenyatta rather than articulating real issues.

Kenya Kwanza running mate Rigathi Gachagua with his Azimio la Umoja counterpart Martha Karua during the Deputy Presidential Debate on Tuesday July 19, 2022
Kenya Kwanza running mate Rigathi Gachagua with his Azimio la Umoja counterpart Martha Karua during the Deputy Presidential Debate on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.
Kenyans.co.ke