Post date: Feb 12, 2013 12:12:1 AM
Kenyan presidential candidates held a rare debate ahead of March elections.
NAIROBI, KENYA (FEBRUARY 11, 2013) (KENYAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE 2013) - Kenya's first ever presidential debate turned into a sparring session on Monday (February 11) over the divisive issue of war crimes court charges against one of the leading presidential hopefuls.
The event failed to offer a clear-cut winner.The head-on rivalry between leading presidential contender, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta, who is running a close second, exploded over the issue ofInternational Criminal Court (ICC) charges against Kenyatta.
Kenyatta has been summoned to appear at the court in The Hague a month after the vote in April for his alleged role in directing ethnic clashes that erupted after a disputed 2007 vote. More than 1,200 people were killed in the violence.
The highlight in the wide-ranging three-and-a-half hour session was whether Kenyatta's charges could lead to post-election instability.
Asked by the moderator how he would rule Kenya were he to stand trial a month after the March vote, Kenyatta said the case against him was a personal challenge.
"If the people of Kenya do decide to vote for me as their president I will be able to handle the issue of clearing my name," Kenyatta said.
"The position I seek is given by the people of Kenya through their democratic right and it is also my democratic right to present myself to Kenyans. They know fully well the issues am I confronted with," he said.
The only woman presidential candidate, Martha Karua, accused others of "peddling tribalism".
Odinga said Kenyans should make a decision without any outside influence.
"Kenya is a sovereign country. We discuss our issues not at the behest of the international community. We need to do what we think is right for this country and people of Kenya should make an informed choice in electing their leadership without interference," Odinga said.
Kenyatta's running mate, William Ruto, also faces charges at the ICC for his alleged role in directing the post-election violence. Both deny wrongdoing.
The debate was the top trending topic on microblogging website Twitter.
Kenyans were glued to their television sets.
"To some extent it's enlightened me a bit more but at the same time confused me. But generally I can make a better decision now," said Nairobi resident Philip Chale.
"Some of the candidates kind of disappointed me in some areas because I thought they stood strong on some of the issues but all-in-all most of my concerns were confirmed," said university student Angela Kamuyu.
A second and final debate will be held on February 25, focusing on the economy, land, devolution and foreign policy.