It was a one man show in the 2017 presidential running mates debate on Monday evening as only Eliud Muthiora Kariara, the running mate of former US-based Presidential candidate Dr. Japheth Kavinga turned up for the much-anticipated TV engagement.
The other seven running mates, including Deputy President William Ruto and National Super Alliance (NASA) running mate Kalonzo Musyoka snubbed the debate, citing various reasons.
Speaking during the debate, Kariara presented that together with Japheth Kavinga, they formed a dynamic team with fresh and new ideas to transform the country for the better.
“In our six-point plan, we intend to cut taxes; we intend to increase the taxes. There are many people who make money but they do not contribute to our nation building by sharing their income with the country,” he said.
“We actually intend to put in place an integrated database so that everybody making an income is captured and our tax base is increased by at least 40 per cent within the first three years,” he pledged.
“Election is for all Kenyans not for jubilee or Nasa, look at your life and ask if it has become better or worse, vote wisely,” he said.
“Elect leaders who are beyond reproach, to make it easy for government to fight corruption. Do not vote for corrupt MCAs, MPs, senators and governors. Elect the right people who can make laws that will ensure the vice is eliminated,” he added.
Deputy President William Ruto cited lack of engagement by the debate organizers as the reason why he would not participate.
“There have been no meetings to agree on ground rules such as date of debate, dos and don’ts what is expected of participants,” David Mugonyi, Ruto’s Communication Secretary said in the statement.
“We fear no debate. We have made ourselves available to the media before and we will continue to. We can debate all and sundry, including all the so-called NASA principals at one go,” he went on to declare.
