Wajackoyah threatens to boycott presidential debate, demands to face Ruto and Raila

Roots Party Presidential Candidate Prof. George Wajackoyah has threatened to boycott the presidential debate set to take place on Tuesday, July 26 at the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA), arguing that as currently set, the event is biased and meant to isolate other candidates.

As it stands, the debate is set to be held in two tiers. The first tier will see Wajackoyah lock horns with his Agano Party counterpart David Mwaure on grounds that they are polled below five per cent in terms of popularity as per the latest opinion polls.

The second tier will see Deputy President William Ruto battle it out with former premier Raila Odinga since their popularity ratings are above five per cent according to the same opinion polls.

Wajackoyah argues that the polls used in segmenting the Presidential Debate into two tiers are not factual.

"Our decision is informed by the fact that the polls used as a determinant to pair the presidential candidates are not factual because they are conducted by pollsters with interests in some of the political parties participating in the presidential debate," added the statement.

"We believe there is the time between today and the 26th July to conduct credible polls that will show the true picture on the ground."

Earlier in the day, Wajackoyah, while speaking at a campaign rally in Garissa reiterated his position saying: "Nyinyi waandishi, mimi nawaonya hiyo presidential debate sikuji. Ati mnasema tutakuwa na two tiers? Nyinyi mnatubagua kwa nini? Si mniachie huyo mzee (Raila) ni cheze na yeye na huyo mwingine (Ruto). Hizo opinion polls zimekuwa rigged."