Kenya Set To Hold 1st Ever Presidential Debate For The 2013 Presidential Aspirants

Ladies and gentlemen, Kenya is about to deliver yet another first. There will be a presidential debate between the aspirants for the general elections slated for next year.

In what will the first live televised presidential debate not just in Kenya but in the greater East African region and what could possibly also be a first in the continent as a whole, Kenya will be breaking new ground in as far as television and governance is concerned.

Spurred on by the recently held American presidential debate that pitted Kenya’s own son Barrack Obama against Mormon and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, it would seem Kenya’s presidential aspirants have decided to let Kenyans get an early glimpse at what their potential presidency would entail should they be successful in their pursuit of the same.

According to Standard Digital, Kenya’s Media houses have planned joint live presidential debates ahead of the historic transitional general election in March 2013.

Media executives said the candidates seeking to succeed President Kibaki will have a rare opportunity to showcase their policies, standpoints and leadership agenda for turning around Kenya during live broadcast debates in the media for the first time in Kenya’s history.

The media executives Mr Sam Shollei the Chief Executive of Standard Group, Mr Linus Gitahi  CEO of the Nation Media,  Mr Paul Wanyaga of  Mediamax,  Mr Waithaka Waihenya the MD of the State owned Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, and Royal Media MD  Mr Wachira Waruru held a joint press conference at Serena Hotel which explained how the debates will be conducted.

The live debate will reportedly be moderated by Julie Gichuru and Linus Kaikai and should have the debate carried live on every Kenyan television station.

The move has elicited applause from the blogoshpere and Kenyans on social media. I for one can’t wait for this mouth watering clash which will pit Peter Kenneth, Raila Odinga, Martha Karua, Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and the rest against each other. The Kenyan Presidential Debateswill be held on the 26th of Nov 2012, 14th of Jan 2013 & 11th of Feb 2013.