Kenyan VP candidate debates himself after rivals’ no-show

NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenyans hoping to watch a televised debate between vice presidential candidates in next month’s election were left disappointed on Monday when only one of six meant to be on stage was left fielding questions alone for an hour.

Surrounded by five empty podiums, Eliud Muthiora Kariara, a former banker turned running mate to independent presidential candidate Japhet Kavinga Kaluyu, answered questions posed by two moderators and the audience.

Why the other candidates were not present was unclear although some had already voiced objections to the debate format. Broadcasters had planned to have six minor candidates, including Kariara, take the stage first, with the front-runners from the two biggest parties facing off separately later.

A letter signed by the six and released on Sunday had said they intended to show up as long as all eight vice presidential candidates would be debating simultaneously.

“We made it clear that we shall take part at 8pm Debates that was to bring all candidates together,” Ekuru Aukot, presidential candidate for Third Way Alliance, said on Twitter to explain why his running mate did not take part.

He also rejected reports in local media that some candidates had arrived late and not been allowed in.

“This is documented. We arrived in time,” he said.

Kenya’s current deputy president, William Ruto, said on Twitter that he had not been given details of the event.

“I am surprised no one has engaged me on the debate. Courtesy demands that date, time, rules of engagement would have been made available,” Ruto tweeted on Sunday.

But Debate Media Limited, the alliance of broadcasters that organized the debate, said in a statement that all the campaigns had been informed.