Politics
Kenya holds first presidential debate. US, EU rebuked over trying to influence elections
Kenya is in the process of holding its first presidential debate between all eight candidates leading up to the March 4 general elections.
Incumbent president, Mwai Kibaki, is stepping down after two terms in office.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Uhuru Kenyatta are the front runners in this race.
Millions of Kenyans have tuned in to watch and listen to the live debate, broadcast on 42 local radio and TV stations, as well as on YouTube.
In the mean time, Kenya’s foreign affairs minister Sam Ongeri, on Monday criticized European Union and U.S. ambassadors in person for what he called an orchestrated attempt to favor a presidential candidate and influence the coming elections.
The top U.S. State Department official for Africa, Johnnie Carson, appeared last week to warn Kenyans from voting for Kenyatta. Shortly afterward, France and Switzerland said they would have only essential contact with Kenya’s top leadership if Kenyatta wins the presidency.
“This is a major exercise which is being done in the history of this country and therefore Kenyans must be left to ponder slowly and carefully how they are going to choose their leaders, not be imposed. This is a democratic state … we least expect any interference at this level by anybody from any quarter and Kenyans must be left to make their choices,” Ongeri said.
