The Media Owners Association of Kenya, Media Council of Kenya and the Kenya Editors Guild have partnered to launch the Presidential debate 2022.
The venue and the exact date of the event will be announced later by the three parners.
The media industry aims to play its requisite role during the electoral process to help Kenyans make the right decisions while choosing the right candidates
“We reassure the public and stakeholders in the electoral process we will give Kenyan’s quality issue-based Presidential and Deputy Presidential Debates that will enable their decision making and effective participation in this year’s election,” according to a statement issued by the partners.
The team will be headed by Clifford Machoka, the head of external affairs and marketing at the Nation Media Group. Machoka will liaise with partner institutions, political parties, and other stakeholders in the electoral process including organizing this year’s presidential debate.
Machoka will be assisted by Leo Matisya, the head of Research and Media Monitoring at the Media Council of Kenya and Rosalia Omungo, the Chief Executive Officer Kenya Editors Guild as the deputy.
“A team of senior editors from across media houses has been established to provide stewardship of the content aspects, given how critical the debates are to ensure the public legal obligations are served. Structures have been put in place to ensure the interest of Kenyans and to deliver fairness to all concerned,” the partners said.
The first presidential debate in Kenya was held in 2013, attracting eight candidates including the outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Lawyer Paul Muite, former Education PS James ole Kiyapi and Mohammed Abduba Dida.
The second was held in In 2017 which President Uhuru Kenyatta did not show up for the debate but the two debates have been celebrated for signaling a positive turn in the election campaigns in Kenya.
