Ruto camp noncommittal on whether DP, Gachagua will attend presidential debates

Addressing the press on Friday, Mohammed said that the DP Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza had raised issues to do with alleged bias of coverage and gave an ultimatum that if that doesn't change, it is unlikely the two will turn up for the debates.

Mohammed said that the DP and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua would make their own decision on whether to avail themselves for the debates or not.

“On the matter of the presidential debate, whether or not the candidate and the deputy will appear is a matter that firmly rests with them. We gave them the media advice, they saw the current media environment,” said Mohamed.

“On matters of the debate, we gave an advisory to the candidates and they are going to make a decision based on that advisory.”

Mohamed went on to argue that the Kenya Kwanza principals were adamant about turning up for the debate, and claimed the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) had not kept its end of the bargain, of ensuring free and fair coverage for all the presidential candidates.

Citing a recent report by the MCK, Mohamed said that the media was skewed in favour of DP Ruto’s opponents.

He added: "All they have to do is ensure compliance; they say journalists are not comfortable with Kenya Kwanza, and they quote something that happened in the NDC which was a misunderstanding."

He similarly urged the media to accord his political camp fair coverage, failure to which the presidential flagbearer and his deputy would not turn up for the debate slated for 19th and 26th of July 2022.

“We are asking our colleagues, especially the Media companies and owners, we are not saying you must cover us, no, we are saying this is public information, you are doing this for the public good,” Mohamed remarked.